Question

To start factoring 2x2 - 5x - 3, we need to find two numbers whose sum (p + q) equals -5 and whose

product (p.q) equals
What value belongs in the blank?

Answer 1

-6

Explanation:

First we need to factorize the given expression

2x^2 - 5x - 3,

2x^2 - 6x+x - 3

The two number that we are going to use to split -5x are -6 and 1

Hence the required two numbers are -6 and 1

Let p = -6

Let q = 1

Taking their sum

p+q = -6 + 1 = -5

Take the product

p*q = -6 * 1

p*q = -6

hence the product is equal to -6