Question

If one factor of x2 + 2x – 24 is (x+6), what is the other factor?

0 (x+8)
0 (x–8).
(x+4)
0 (x-4)

Answer 1

Your answer would be (x-4)

Explanation:

If you follow the steps of factoring, first you need to set it up. I always start with the term with the variable first.

(x+_)(x+_)

And since we already know one of the factors, we can put that in our expression.

(x+6)(x+_)

Now remember the trick FOIL.

You multiply the FIRSTS together, then the OUTSIDES, then the INSIDES, and finally the LASTS.

To figure out our last blank we us this trick, but backwards. To get the 24 at the end of your expression x^2+2x-24 you multiply the LASTS together. So 6*_=-24. (remember the subtraction sign stays as a negative with the 24) That answer is -4

Hope that makes sense, and good luck!