Question 873910


Looking at the expression {{{x^2+x-30}}}, we can see that the first coefficient is {{{1}}}, the second coefficient is {{{1}}}, and the last term is {{{-30}}}.



Now multiply the first coefficient {{{1}}} by the last term {{{-30}}} to get {{{(1)(-30)=-30}}}.



Now the question is: what two whole numbers multiply to {{{-30}}} (the previous product) <font size=4><b>and</b></font> add to the second coefficient {{{1}}}?



To find these two numbers, we need to list <font size=4><b>all</b></font> of the factors of {{{-30}}} (the previous product).



Factors of {{{-30}}}:

1,2,3,5,6,10,15,30

-1,-2,-3,-5,-6,-10,-15,-30



Note: list the negative of each factor. This will allow us to find all possible combinations.



These factors pair up and multiply to {{{-30}}}.

1*(-30) = -30
2*(-15) = -30
3*(-10) = -30
5*(-6) = -30
(-1)*(30) = -30
(-2)*(15) = -30
(-3)*(10) = -30
(-5)*(6) = -30


Now let's add up each pair of factors to see if one pair adds to the middle coefficient {{{1}}}:



<table border="1"><th>First Number</th><th>Second Number</th><th>Sum</th><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>1</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-30</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>1+(-30)=-29</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>2</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-15</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>2+(-15)=-13</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>3</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-10</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>3+(-10)=-7</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>5</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-6</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>5+(-6)=-1</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>-1</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>30</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-1+30=29</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>-2</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>15</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-2+15=13</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>-3</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>10</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-3+10=7</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=red>-5</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=red>6</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=red>-5+6=1</font></td></tr></table>



From the table, we can see that the two numbers {{{-5}}} and {{{6}}} add to {{{1}}} (the middle coefficient).



So the two numbers {{{-5}}} and {{{6}}} both multiply to {{{-30}}} <font size=4><b>and</b></font> add to {{{1}}}



Now replace the middle term {{{1x}}} with {{{-5x+6x}}}. Remember, {{{-5}}} and {{{6}}} add to {{{1}}}. So this shows us that {{{-5x+6x=1x}}}.



{{{x^2+highlight(-5x+6x)-30}}} Replace the second term {{{1x}}} with {{{-5x+6x}}}.



{{{(x^2-5x)+(6x-30)}}} Group the terms into two pairs.



{{{x(x-5)+(6x-30)}}} Factor out the GCF {{{x}}} from the first group.



{{{x(x-5)+6(x-5)}}} Factor out {{{6}}} from the second group. The goal of this step is to make the terms in the second parenthesis equal to the terms in the first parenthesis.



{{{(x+6)(x-5)}}} Combine like terms. Or factor out the common term {{{x-5}}}



===============================================================



Answer:



So {{{x^2+x-30}}} factors to {{{(x+6)(x-5)}}}.



In other words, {{{x^2+x-30=(x+6)(x-5)}}}.



Note: you can check the answer by expanding {{{(x+6)(x-5)}}} to get {{{x^2+x-30}}} or by graphing the original expression and the answer (the two graphs should be identical).