Home > Algebra > Factorization of Quadratic Expressions

How do you factor the trinomial #x² - 13x - 14#?

Answer 1

Eli Assouline

#(x-14)(x+1)#

#"the factors of - 14 which sum to - 13 are - 14 and + 1"#

#rArrx^2-13x-14=(x-14)(x+1)#

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Hazel Anglin

To factor the trinomial (x^2 - 13x - 14), you need to find two numbers that multiply to give you the last term (-14) and add up to give you the middle coefficient (-13).

The two numbers that fit this criteria are -14 and +1, because (-14) * (+1) = -14 and (-14) + (+1) = -13.

So, you can rewrite the trinomial as:

(x^2 - 14x + x - 14)

Then, you can group the terms and factor by grouping:

(x(x - 14) + 1(x - 14))

Now, you can factor out the common factor ((x - 14)):

((x - 14)(x + 1))

Therefore, the factored form of the trinomial (x^2 - 13x - 14) is ((x - 14)(x + 1)).

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

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.