SOLUTION: x2 - x - 6 = Simplified. I know the answer is (x+2)(x-3), but I don't understand how the answer was achieved. Can I please get an explanation of this?

Algebra ->  Distributive-associative-commutative-properties -> SOLUTION: x2 - x - 6 = Simplified. I know the answer is (x+2)(x-3), but I don't understand how the answer was achieved. Can I please get an explanation of this?      Log On


   



Question 365540: x2 - x - 6 =
Simplified. I know the answer is (x+2)(x-3), but I don't understand how the answer was achieved. Can I please get an explanation of this?

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x^2 - x - 6 =
Simplified. I know the answer is (x+2)(x-3), but I don't understand how the answer was achieved. Can I please get an explanation of this?
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You have to understand FOIL.
When you multiply two binomials you establish a pattern.
(x+a)(x+b) = x^2 + (a+b)x + ab
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Notice that the ab is a product of a and b
and a+b is the sum of the same numbers.
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Your Problem
-6 is the product of two numbers
-1 is the sum of the same numbers
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Thinking about it you need to arrive
at the right numbers; they are -3 and +2.
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So you can rewrite your problem as follows:
x^2 -3x+2x -6
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Now factor the 1st two and the last two terms
separately to get:
x(x-3)+2(x-3)
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Then you need to factor again to get:
(x-3)(x+2) which is the answer you need.
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Cheers,
Stan H.