Factor the following expression.

2 x squared plus 7 x minus 30
(1 point)
Responses

left parenthesis 2 x minus 5 right parenthesis left parenthesis x plus 6 right parenthesis
Image with alt text: left parenthesis 2 x minus 5 right parenthesis left parenthesis x plus 6 right parenthesis

left parenthesis 2 x minus 5 right parenthesis left parenthesis x minus 6 right parenthesis
Image with alt text: left parenthesis 2 x minus 5 right parenthesis left parenthesis x minus 6 right parenthesis

left parenthesis 2 x plus 5 right parenthesis left parenthesis x minus 6 right parenthesis
Image with alt text: left parenthesis 2 x plus 5 right parenthesis left parenthesis x minus 6 right parenthesis

left parenthesis 2 x plus 5 right parenthesis left parenthesis x plus 6 right parenthesis

1 answer

To factor the expression \(2x^2 + 7x - 30\), we can use the method of factoring by grouping.

  1. Multiply the coefficient of \(x^2\) (which is 2) by the constant term (which is -30): \[ 2 \times -30 = -60 \]

  2. Next, we need to find two numbers that multiply to -60 and add to the coefficient of \(x\) (which is 7). The numbers are 12 and -5, since: \[ 12 \times -5 = -60 \quad \text{and} \quad 12 + (-5) = 7 \]

  3. Rewrite the middle term (7x) using these two numbers: \[ 2x^2 + 12x - 5x - 30 \]

  4. Group the terms: \[ (2x^2 + 12x) + (-5x - 30) \]

  5. Factor out the common factors in each group: \[ 2x(x + 6) - 5(x + 6) \]

  6. Now, factor out the common binomial factor \((x + 6)\): \[ (2x - 5)(x + 6) \]

Thus, the factored form of \(2x^2 + 7x - 30\) is: \[ (2x - 5)(x + 6) \]

The correct response is: \[ \text{left parenthesis 2 x minus 5 right parenthesis left parenthesis x plus 6 right parenthesis} \]