SOLUTION: What is the answer to when you factor x squared+8x-48?

 = (x+12)*(x-4).



When you look for such decomposition, you need to find two numbers (preferably integer) whose product is -48 and whose sum is 8.


Since their product is negative, these numbers must be of different signs.


Then using trial and error, you can find these numbers and the required decomposition in 2 minutes, MENTALLY.