Factor the trinomial x2 - 2x - 8 Write each factor as a polynomial in descending order?

Answer 1

x**2-2x-8

Multiply first 2 terms:

1*-8=-8

Find factors that add up to second term:

-2, 4 --> -2+4 = 2

-4,-2 --> -4+2 = -2

Rewrite:

x**2+2x-4x-8

Factor sets of terms

x**2+2x=x(x+2)

-4x-8=-4(x+2)

x**2+2x-4x-8 = x(x+2)-4(x+2)

Factor

x(x+2)-4(x+2) = (x+2)(x-4)