Algebra Examples

x^{2} - 2 x - 15

$x^{2} - 2 x - 15$

Step 1

Consider the form

x^{2} + b x + c

$x^{2} + b x + c$ . Find a pair of integers whose product is

c

$c$ and whose sum is

b

$b$ . In this case, whose product is

- 15

$- 15$ and whose sum is

- 2

$- 2$ .

- 5, 3

$- 5, 3$

Step 2

Write the factored form using these integers.

(x - 5) (x + 3)

$(x - 5) (x + 3)$