Question

Factor each trinomial. Then match the polynomial (term) on the left with its factored form (definition) on the right.

Match Term Definition
x2 _ 4x _ 12 A) (x _ 6)(x + 2)
x2 + 4x _ 12 B) Prime
x2 _ x _ 12 C) (x _ 4)(x + 3)
x2 _ 7x _ 12 D) (x _ 2)(x + 6)

Answer 1

x^2 - 4x - 12 = x^2 + 2x - 6x - 12 = x(x + 2) - 6(x + 2) = (x - 6)(x + 2)
x^2 + 4x - 12 = x^2 - 2x + 6x - 12 = x(x - 2) + 6(x - 2) = (x - 2)(x + 6)
x^2 - x - 12 = x^2 + 3x - 4x - 12 = x(x + 3) - 4(x + 3) = (x - 4)(x + 3)
x^2 - 7x - 12 is prime.