Finite Math Examples

$a^{2} - 14 a + 40$

Step 1

Consider the form $x^{2} + b x + c$ . Find a pair of integers whose product is $c$ and whose sum is $b$ . In this case, whose product is $40$ and whose sum is $- 14$ .

$- 10, - 4$

Step 2

Write the factored form using these integers.

$(a - 10) (a - 4)$