Question

Which of the binomials below is a factor of this trinomial? x^2 + 13x + 40A. x+5B. x-4C. x-5D. x+4

Answer 1

To factor the given trinomial, follow these steps:

Write two factors, two binomials, the first term of each binomial will be x:

`(x\text{ })(x\text{ })`

The sign of the first binomial will be the first sign of the original trinomial, and the sign of the second binomial will be the product of the two sing in the trinomial (+*+).

`(x+\text{ })(x+\text{ })`

The independent terms of the binomials will be 2 numbers, the sum of these numbers has to be 13 and the product of them has to be 40, these numbers are 8 and 5:

`(x+8)(x+5)`

It means that the correct answer is A. x+5.