Question 215191
Completely factor the polynomial {{{-2x^2-6x-12}}}.  


Note I replaced your 6y with 6x.


Step 1.  Factor -2 to get {{{-2(x^2+3x+4)}}}.


Step 2.  We need two integers m and n that add up to 4 and  their products m*n=1*4=4.


Step 3.  The integers are 1 and 3. 


Step 4.  ANSWER:  {{{-2(x^2+3x+4)=-2(x+1)(x+3)}}}


I hope the above steps were helpful.


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Good luck in your studies!


Respectfully,
Dr J