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How do i factorise x^2+6x-40 ?

User Maras
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1 Answer

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9514 1404 393

Answer:

(x +10)(x -4)

Explanation:

Compare the factored and expanded forms:

(x +p)(x +q) = x^2 +(p+q)x +pq = x^2 +6x -40

That is, the constants in the binomial factors will be factors of -40 that have a sum of 6. This is where your knowledge of multiplication tables is helpful.

-40 = -1×40 = -2×20 = -4×10 = -5×8

The sums of these factor pairs are 39, 18, 6, 3, respectively. So, the one we want is (-4)(10) = -40. Now that we know the values of 'p' and 'q', we can write the factorization ...

x^2 +6x -40 = (x -4)(x +10)

User James Burns
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