Answer:
Option C, -(x + 9)(x + 6) or,
-1(x + 9)(x + 6)
Step-by-step explanation:
We can begin the factorization process by factoring out the negative -1 from each term in the polynomial. This changes the expression to:
-1(x² + 15x + 54)
This factored-out negative will follow all the way to the answer so any answer not containing a -1 factored out can eliminated. Options A, B, and D do not have this negative. Therefore, they are ruled out. But let's continue to confirm Option C.
With the polynomial within the parentheses in quadratic expression ax² + bx + c form, we start by finding which factor pair for the product and coefficient a and constant c has a sum equating to coefficient b. This may sound complicated but this is not the case in practice.
Coefficient a = 1
Constant c = 54
Coefficient b = 15
The product of a and b = 1(54) = 54
Now, we list factors of 54. I like to list them as factor pairs:
1, 54; 2, 27; 3, 18; 6, 9
Next, find which factor pair has a sum of 15. That would be 6 and 9. We now substitute these values as the coefficients b, separate the terms into pairs as binomials, and factor out their greatest common factors (GCF).
-(x² + 6x + 9x + 54)
-[(x² + 6x) + (9x + 54)]
The GCF between x² and 6x is x. The GCF between 9x and 54 is 9. So:
-[x(x + 6) + 9(x + 6)]
If the binomial within each set of parentheses matches, you have found the factors for your polynomial. They are the polynomial within the binomial within the parentheses and the GCFs that were factored out of each:
-x² - 15x - 54 = -(x² + 15x + 54) = -(x + 9)(x + 6)