How do you factor the trinomial #x^2 - 6x - 16#?

1 Answer
BRIAN M.
Mar 24, 2018

#(x-8)(x+2)#

Explanation:

To factor the trinomial #x^2-6x-16#

We begin by looking at the factors for the 1st term
#x*x#
and the 3rd term
#1*16#
#2*8#
#4*4#

We begin with
#(x)(x)#
Since the second sign of the trinomial is negative we will be subtracting the factors of the 3rd term which means we must use
#(2)(8)#

When we subtract the signs will be differenet and the larger factor will go with the first sign of the trinomial.
#(-8)(2)#

Now we can create the binomial factors.

#(x-8)(x+2)#

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