Algebra Examples

x^{2} - 5 x - 36

$x^{2} - 5 x - 36$

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

- 36

$- 36$ and whose sum is

- 5

$- 5$ .

- 9, 4

$- 9, 4$

Step 2

Write the factored form using these integers.

(x - 9) (x + 4)

$(x - 9) (x + 4)$