Question

Factor the trinomial below.

x2 – 14x + 45

A. (x – 3)(x + 15)
B. (x – 5)(x + 9)
C. (x – 5)(x – 9)
D. (x – 3)(x – 15)

Answer 1

Hi there!

The answer is C.

`{x}^(2) - 14x + 45 = (x - 9)(x - 5)`

To find our answer we are looking for 2 integers. The sum of the integers must be -14 (since it must be equal to the number before the variable x). The product of both integers must be 45. Now we can conclude we are looking for the numbers -9 and -5.


`- 9 + - 5 = - 9 - 5 = - 14 \\ - 9 * - 5 = 45`

(Remember that multiplying 2 negatives makes you end up with a positive.)

~ Hope this helps you!