Question

Factor:

x^2 -xy -42y^2

Answer 1

Two factors of -42 that will add up to -1 are


`6,-7`
We use these factors to split the middle terms


`{x}^(2) + 6xy - 7xy - 42 {y}^(2)`

`x(x + 6y) - 7y(x + 6y)`
The factors are

`(x + 6y)(x - 7y)`