Question

X² + 4x + 2x+8
how do i factor this

Answer 1

(x+2)(x+4)

Explanation:

First, start by combing like terms so that you end up with x^2 + 6x + 8

Now, we have to come up with two factors of this equation

(x + a)(x + b) = x^2 + 6x + 8

we know that ab = 8 and that a+b = 6. In other words, what factors of 8 have a sum of 8? We can find out that 2 and 4 fit these criteria.

a = 2

b = 4

2(4) = 8? 2 + 4 = 6?

8 = 8 6 = 6