Question

Factor completely 2x^2-2x-40

Answer 1

Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

GCF = 2

Factor out the GCF. (Write the GCF first. Then, in parentheses, divide each term by the GCF.)

2(2x^2/2 + -2x/2 - 40/2)

Simplify each term in parentheses

2(x^2 - x - 20)

Factor x^2 - x - 20

= 2(x - 5)(x + 4)

Answer 2

Explanation:

The best way to start is to take out the common factor (2)

2(x^2 - x - 20)

What two numbers when multiplied together have a difference of 1 and multiply to 20?

The answer is 5 and 4,but you have to take the signs into consideration.

2(x - 5)(x + 4)