How do you factor #2x^2 - 10x - 12#?

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Answer 1 · 2015-12-29T17:10:26

#(2x+2)(x -6) # is the factorised form of the expression.

#2x^2 -10x-12#

We can Split the Middle Term of this expression to factorise it.

In this technique, if we have to factorise an expression like #ax^2 + bx + c#, we need to think of 2 numbers such that:

#N_1*N_2 = a*c = 2*-12 = -24#

AND

#N_1 +N_2 = b = -10#

After trying out a few numbers we get #N_1 = -12# and #N_2 =2#

#2*-12 = -24#, and #2+(-12)= -10#

#2x^2 -10x-12 = 2x^2 -12x +2x-12#

#=2x(x -6) +2(x-6)#

#=(2x+2)(x -6) #