Question

Factor the trinomial below*1 pointx2 - 4x – 12(x + 6) (x – 2)(x – 6) (x - 2)Option 1O Option 2(x + 6) (x + 2)(x – 6) (x + 2)

Answer 1

The given trinomial is expressed as

x^2 - 4x - 12

This is a quadratic expression. We would apply the method of factorisation. To do this, we would find two terms such that their sum or difference is - 4x and their product is - 12x^2. The terms are 2x and - 6x. Thus, the expression becomes

x^2 + 2x - 6x - 12

x(x + 2) - 6(x + 2)

(x - 6)(x + 2)

Thus, the correct option is option 4