How do you factor #-5x^2 - x + 4#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-03-29T21:31:00

#(-5x-4)(x+1)#

First, you would find the zeros by applying the quadratic formula:

#x=(1+-sqrt(1-4(-5)4))/(2(-5))#

#x=(1+-9)/-10#

#x_1=(1-9)/-10=-8/-10=4/5#

#x_2=(1+9)/-10=-1#

Then you could apply the formula and factor:

#ax^2+bx+c=a(x-x_1)(x-x_2)#

#-5x^2-x+4=-5(x-4/5)(x+1)#

#=(-5x-4)(x+1)#