Question

Factor.

x2−5x+6

Enter your answer in the boxes.

x2−5x-6= ( ) ( )​

Answer 1

`(x-6)(x+1)`

Explanation:

Factoring is usually just a bit of guess and check.
`x^2-5x-6` is written in the form
`a^2+b+c`, where
`a=1`,
`b=-5`, and
`c=-6`.

You need to find the two numbers that multiply together to equal
`-6` and can be added together to get
`-5`. These are
`-6` and
`1` in this case.

Now, put them together in the form
`(x-6)(x+1)`. We will now check this answer using the FOIL method.

First term in each parentheses:
`x * x = x^2`

Outside terms:
`x * 1 = x`

Inside terms:
`-6 * x = -6x`

Last term in each parentheses:
`-6 * 1 = -6`

Now, add these together:
`x^2 + x - 6x - 6 = x^2 - 5x - 6`

Since we get the original expression, this is correct.