Answer:
c.)
![(x-2)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/39n6fklvjuwgomeg1g412vqrgasds48zj4.png)
Explanation:
The given expression is written in the form
. To factor, find two numbers whose sum is b and whose product is c:
_×_=-18
_+_=7
Use -2 and 7:
-2×9=-18
-2+9=7
Substitute the two numbers for b:
![x^2-2x+9x-18](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/ta6nuglkou3pbhab1m4xz9xi60xbhyueon.png)
![(x^2-2x)+(9x-18)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/pijkyof9fg9nczrhb41bva8e38j0epkyoa.png)
Factor out common terms. The common term in the first parentheses is x and the common term in the second is 9:
![x((x^2-2x)/(x) )+9((9x-18)/(9))\\\\x(x-2)+9(x-2)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/3syy1ucka2p5r13s44okxhyi3cdjt6l4xn.png)
Cancel out one of the parentheses since they have the same terms and plug the factored numbers in:
![(x-2)(x+9)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/2bbiyvn13zutbjkmplgtyaxu760zh0tc3u.png)
:Done
Check Your Work:
To see if the given factored form is true, simplify it using FOIL:
First, Outside, Inside, Last
![(x-2)(x+9)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/2bbiyvn13zutbjkmplgtyaxu760zh0tc3u.png)
Multiply the first terms:
![x*x=x^2](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/yh745nbgwq8ti395mvq3jebkkgvqihptkv.png)
Multiply the terms on the outside:
![x*9=9x\\\\x^2+9x](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/2bmivmayml23y6xop9m7namvdomp0dgh98.png)
Multiply the inside terms:
![-2*x=-2x\\\\x^2+9x-2x](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/ugeox5m4t269jh7dd4jydpn7fbaoap6pit.png)
Multiply the last terms:
![-2*9=-18\\\\x^2+9x-2x-18](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/xj1sohrc9v79qjairsvrozte2cdezzjwu7.png)
Combine like terms:
![x^2+(9x-2x)-18\\\\x^2+7x-18](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/a23ph0wpuh9b1ppyv393q3ywisqgnhzfx9.png)
Therefore, the factored form is true.