Question

Factor x^2+6x-16 into the form (x+a)(x-b), what is a and b?

Answer 1

a=-8 b=2

Explanation:

x^2+6x-16

x^2+(8-2)x-16=0

x^2+8x-2x-16=0

X(X+8)-2(X+8)=0

(X+8)(x-2)=0

Compare with (X+a)(X+b)

Where we get a=-8 b=2