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How do you factor the expression #m^2+m-20#?

Answer 1

Hazel Anglin

#(m + 5)(m - 4)#

Find the factors of 20 which subtract to give 1.

The signs in the brackets will be different, the greater number must be positive.

# 5 xx 4 = 20# #5 - 4 = 1 #

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Answer 2

Abigail Allen

To factor the expression (m^2 + m - 20), we need to find two numbers that multiply to give us (m^2) and add up to (m).

These two numbers are (5) and (-4), because (5 \times (-4) = -20) and (5 + (-4) = 1).

So, we can rewrite the expression as: [m^2 + 5m - 4m - 20]

Next, we group the terms: [m(m + 5) - 4(m + 5)]

Now, we can factor out the common factor ((m + 5)): [(m + 5)(m - 4)]

Therefore, the factored form of the expression (m^2 + m - 20) is ((m + 5)(m - 4)).

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.