Is it possible to factor #y= x^2+5x-14 #? If so, what are the factors?

1 Answer
Samuel U.
Jan 6, 2016

Yes this formula #y = (x + a)(x + b) = x^2 + (a +b)x + a*b#

Explanation:

In this case #a+b = 5# and #a*b=-14#. You can solve one of these equations, let's say that #b=5-a#. Now you can plug #b# into the other equation #a*b=-14#. Therefore #a(5-a)=-14#. #5a-a^2=-14#. That gets you close, but typically there is some guessing and checking with these problems. The more you practice, however, the faster you will get at solving them.

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