Question 897284
First, look for common factors:
{{{10x^2-160=10(x^2-16)}}} .
Next, see if you have a "special product, such as a perfect square, or a difference of squares.
Here you have a difference of squares:
{{{10(x^2-16)=10(x^2-4^2)=highlight(10(x+4)(x-4))}}} .


If you did not recognize a special product, you would try to find factors
that multiply to give you {{{x^2-16}}} .
You know that it would be something like
{{{(x+a)(x+b)}}} , with two numbners {{{a}}} and {{{b}}} that you have to find.
Since {{{(x+a)(x+b)=x^2+bx+ax+ab=x^2+(a+b)x+ab}}} ,
and that has to equal {{{x^2-16}}} ,
you are looking for numbers that make the coefficients the same.
It must be {{{a+b=0}}} and {{{ab=-16}}} .
To make {{{ab=-16}}} the numbers for {{{a}}} and {{{b}}} muat be
either -1 and 16,
or 1 and-16,
or -1 and 8,
or 2 and -8,
or -4 and 4.
The only pair that adds up to 0 is -4 and 4, so
{{{x^2-16=(x-4)(x+4)}}}