Factor the expression: x^2 - x - 42
(x-7)*(x+6)?
correct
Thanks!
To factor the expression x^2 - x - 42, we need to find two binomials whose product is equal to the given expression.
Step 1: Write down the expression:
x^2 - x - 42
Step 2: Find two numbers whose product is equal to the product of the coefficient of the x^2 term (which is 1) and the constant term (which is -42). In this case, the product is -42. Additionally, these two numbers should add up to the coefficient of the x term (which is -1).
The numbers that satisfy these conditions are -7 and 6.
Step 3: Rewrite the expression using these two numbers:
x^2 - x - 42 = (x - 7)(x + 6)
So, the factored form of the expression x^2 - x - 42 is (x - 7)(x + 6).