Question

How do you factor `-24-10x+x^2`?

Answer 1

`(x-12)(x+2)`

Explanation:

An expression is not comfortable to work with if the first term is negative. Let's re-arrange the expression, keeping the signs with the correct terms.

`-24-10x+x^2 = x^2 -10x -24`

Find factors of `24` which subtract to make 10.
These will be `12 and 2`
The greater number must be negative: `(-12+2 = -10)`

`(x-12)(x+2)`