38.5k views
2 votes
Why can't
x^2-5x-1 be factored?

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

Explanation:

Discussion.

Not directly. But the quadratic formula can do it. But that's not your question.

the factors you get must contain the factors for 1 which are 1 and - 1

These factors must add to - 5. There's no way that will happen with 1 and - 1 and you would be creative math if you tried to say that you could make one of the factors (x -1-1-1-1-1-1). That creates a whole new question.

User Darren
by
8.6k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories