Question

How do you factor the expression `x^2 - 3x - 4`?

Answer 1

`(x-4)(x+1)`

Explanation:

We need to think of two numbers, that, when I add them, I get `-3`, and when I multiply them, I get `-4`.

Since their product is negative, the signs are different.

Through a little thought, and we deduce that our numbers are `-4` and `1` as

`-4+1=-3` and `-4*1=-4`

Thus, our factored expression is

`(x-4)(x+1)`