Question

What is the factorization of `x^2+5x +4`?

Answer 1

The set up would be according to `(x + a)(x + b)`

Explanation:

So, you need to look at it in terms of two numbers that add up to `5x` and multiply to `4`.

The two numbers are `1` and `4`.

So, `(x + 1)(x + 4)`.

Check it to make sure it adds up to `x^2 + 5x + 4`

So, multiply using FOIL
(First: The `x` in the left parentheses and the `x` in the right parentheses,
Outer: The `x`in the left parentheses and the `4` in the right parentheses,
Inner: The `1` in the left parentheses and the `x` in the right parentheses,
Last: The `1` in the left parentheses and the `4` in the right parentheses)

So, `x*x = x^2 + 4x + (1)x + (1)(4)` adds up to `x^2 + 5x + 4`.
Yep, the answers checks out.