Factor x^2 + 5x - 36...

1 answer

To factor the quadratic expression x^2 + 5x - 36, we need to find two numbers whose product is -36 and whose sum is 5. The factors of -36 are: -1, -2, 1, 2, -3, 3, -4, 4, -6, 6, -9, 9, -12, 12, -18, 18, -36, and 36.

By testing different number combinations, we find that -4 and 9 satisfy the conditions above since -4 * 9 = -36 and -4 + 9 = 5.

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