Question

Deirdre is factoring the polynomial x2 + 2x – 24. Which combination can she use to replace the middle term, 2x?

Answer 1

to replace 2x we need +6x-4x

Answer 2

6x - 4x

Explanation:

x^2 + 2x – 24

We need to find out the factors that replace the middle term +2x

Constant term is -24

coefficient of middle term is +2

We need to find out two factors whose product is -24 and sum is +2

6 times (-4) = -24

6 + ( -4) = 2

So 6 and -4 gives us product -24 and sum +2

the middle term +2x can be written as 6x - 4x