x^2 - 6x + 18.
This looks tempting to factor by guessing.
We want to factor into the form (1x + a) * (1x + b) + c
We guess that both x's have a scalar constant of 1, because x^2 has a scalar constant of 1 in the expanded form. This doesn't have to be the case, but it is a convenient assumption to make.
We want a and b such that (a + b) = -6.
A good choice for this is a = -3, b = -3
a * b = 9, so we need c to cover the distance between 9 and 18. c = 9
So we have:
(x - 3) * (x - 3) + 9
Double checking to make sure we did everything right:
x ^ 2 - 3x - 3x + 9 + 9
x^2 - 6x + 18
You can also complete the square, if you prefer.
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Since the problem has 4 terms, first you factor x cubed plus 9x squared, then you factor 2x plus 18. So when you factor the first two term, you would get x sqaured (x plus 9). Then when you factor the last two terms and you get 2 (x plus 9). Ypure final answer would be (x squared plus 2)(x plus 9)
-((x + 2)(x - 9))
As written, that's 12a + 18 which factors to 6(2a + 3) a^2 + 11a + 18 = (a + 9)(a + 2)
x^2-9x+18=(x-6)(x-3)