SOLUTION: Factor completely: x^2 - 3x - 18 Would the answer be: (x-3)(x+6) Thank you very much!

Algebra ->  Distributive-associative-commutative-properties -> SOLUTION: Factor completely: x^2 - 3x - 18 Would the answer be: (x-3)(x+6) Thank you very much!      Log On


   

Question 70367: Factor completely:
x^2 - 3x - 18
Would the answer be:
(x-3)(x+6)
Thank you very much!
Answer by funmath(2933) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Factor completely:
x^2 - 3x - 18
(x___)(x___)
Fill the blanks with two integers that multiply to give you the last number, -18, but add together to give you the middle coefficient, -3.
3*(-6)=-18 and 3+(-6)=-3
highlight%28%28x%2B3%29%28x-6%29%29
To check FOIL what you got and see if it gets you back to what you started with:
(x+3)(x-6)
x(x-6)+3(x-6)
x(x)+x(-6)+3(x)+3(-6)
x^2-6x+3x-18
x^2-3x-18 We're right!!!
Happy Calculating!!!