factor: n^2-9n+18

1 answer

To factor the quadratic expression \( n^2 - 9n + 18 \), we are looking for two numbers that multiply to the constant term (18) and add up to the coefficient of the linear term (-9).

The factors of 18 that add up to -9 are -6 and -3.

So, we can write the expression as:

\[ n^2 - 9n + 18 = (n - 6)(n - 3) \]

Thus, the factored form of \( n^2 - 9n + 18 \) is:

\[ (n - 6)(n - 3) \]