Factor x^2 + 5x - 36.

Answer 1

To factor the quadratic expression x^2 + 5x - 36, we need to find two numbers that multiply to -36 and add up to 5.

The pairs of numbers that multiply to -36 are (-1, 36), (1, -36), (-2, 18), (2, -18), (-3, 12), (3, -12), (-4, 9), (4, -9), (-6, 6), and (6, -6).

Out of these pairs, the only one that adds up to 5 is (4, -9).

Therefore, x^2 + 5x - 36 can be factored as (x + 9)(x - 4).