Question

Juanita begins to factor an expression as shown. x2 + 3x – 18 = (x + )(x – ) The numbers that should be placed in the boxes, from left to right, are 3 and 62 and 96 and 39 and 2

Answer 1

The correct option is 3.

Explanation:

Let the missing values from left to right are a and b.

The given equation is

`x^2+3x-18=(x+a)(x-b)`

Splitting the middle term we get

`x^2+6x-3x-18=(x+a)(x-b)`

`(x^2+6x)-(3x-18)=(x+a)(x-b)`

Taking out common factors from each parenthesis.

`x(x+6)-3(x+6)=(x+a)(x-b)`

`(x+6)(x-3)=(x+a)(x-b)`

On comparing both sides we get

`a=6,b=3`

The numbers that should be placed in the boxes, from left to right 6 and 3. Therefore the correct option is 3.