Answer:
(x + 2)(x - 7)
Explanation:
given
x² - 5x - 14
consider the factors of the constant term (- 14) which sum to give the coefficient of the x- term (- 5)
the factors are + 2 and - 7 , since
2 × - 7 = - 14 and 2 - 7 = - 5
use these factors to split the x- term
x² + 2x - 7x - 14 ( factor the first/second and third/fourth terms )
= x(x + 2) - 7(x + 2) ← factor out (x + 2) from each term
= (x + 2)(x - 7) ← in factored form