Factor: x^(2) - 2x - 48

Question

Factor:
`x^(2) - 2x - 48`

Answer 1

`(x + 6)(x - 8)`

Explanation:

Hello!

We can factor the expression by grouping.

We basically have to expand -2x to 2 numbers that multiply to -48 and add up to -2. The two numbers are -8 and 6, so 2x will turn into -8x + 6x.

Factor By Grouping:

• 
  `x^2 - 2x - 48`

• 
  `x^2 -8x + 6x - 48`
• 
  `x(x - 8) + 6(x - 8)`
• 
  `(x + 6)(x - 8)`

The factored expression is
`(x + 6)(x - 8)`.