Question

What is the factored form of x2 - 4x - 5?

(x + 5)(x - 1)
(x + 5)(x + 1)
(x - 5)(x - 1)
(x - 5)(x + 1)
0

Answer 1

(x - 5)(x + 1)

Explanation:

Given

x² - 4x - 5

Consider the factors of the constant term (- 5) which sum to give the coefficient of the x- term (- 4)

The factors are - 5 and + 1, since

- 5 × 1 = - 5 and - 5 + 1 = - 4, thus

x² - 4x - 5 = (x - 5)(x + 1) ← in factored form

Answer 2

What is the factored form of x2 - 4x - 5?

x²- 4x - 5

(x + 5) (x - 1)

Explanation:

Expand the answer, it would give;

x²-x+5x-5

x²-4x-5