Question

Factorise:
x² + 6x - 16

Answer 1

(x + 8)(x - 2)

Explanation:

x² + 6x - 16

consider the product of the factors of the constant term (- 16) which sum to give the coefficient of the x- term (+ 6)

the factors are + 8 and - 2, since

8 × - 2 = - 16 and 8 - 2 = + 6 , then

x² + 6x - 16 = (x + 8)(x - 2)