Question

How do you factor `-6x^2-23x-20`?

Answer 1

`-(3x+4)(2x+5)`

Explanation:

`-6x^2-23x-20`

=`-(6x^2+23x+20)`

=`-(3x+4)(2x+5)`

Answer 2

`-(3x+4)(2x+5)`

Explanation:

`color(blue)"factor out "-1`

`rArr-(6x^2+23x+20)`

`"using the a-c method to factor the quadratic"`

`"the factors of the product "6xx20=120`

`"which sum to + 23 are + 8 and + 15"`

`"split the middle term using these factors"`

`6x^2+8x+15x+20larrcolor(blue)"factor by grouping"`

`=color(red)(2x)(3x+4)color(red)(+5)(3x+4)`

`"take out the "color(blue)"common factor "(3x+4)`

`=(3x+4)(color(red)(2x+5))`

`rArr6x^2+23x+20=(3x+4)(2x+5)`

`rArr-6x^2-23x-20=-(3x+4)(2x+5)`