How do you factor x2 minus 2x minus 5 plus 3?

Answer 1

Add numbers with the same signs: Number, Variable, and Variable Squared or another power.

Actually, since X is the same variable, cross both 2x and x2 out of the problem, then add 5 and 3.

x2 - 2x - 5 + 3

= x2 - 2x - 2

= (x2 - 2x + 1) -1 - 2

= (x - 1)2 - (√3)2

= (x - 1 - √3) (x - 1 + √3) you can rewrite it (if you want)

= [x - (1 + √3)][x - (1 - √3)]