How do you factor the trinomial #x^2 + 2x - 24 = 0#?

1 Answer
Jan 25, 2016

This would be more a quadratic equation, and so I'll solve it for you.

Explanation:

When looking to factor a trinomial of the form y = #ax^2# + bx + c, where a = 1, you must find two numbers that multiply to c and that add to b.

The two numbers we are looking for are 6 and -4, since 6 X -4 = -24 and 6 + (-4) = 2

#x^2# + 2x - 24 = 0

(x +6)(x - 4) = 0

x = -6 and 4

The solutions are -6 and 4.