What is the factored form of x² - 7x - 18?

What is the factored form of x² - 7x - 18?

• A. (x - 9)(x + 2)
• B. (x + 9)(x - 2)
• C. (x - 6)(x + 3)
• D. (x + 6)(x - 3)

Answer: (A)

To find the factored form of the quadratic expression \(x^2 - 7x - 18\), we want to write it in the form \((x + p)(x + q)\) where \(p\) and \(q\) are numbers that multiply to give the constant term (-18 in this case) and add up to give the coefficient of the linear term (-7). First, we need to find two numbers that multiply to -18 and add to -7. The pairs of factors of -18 can be analyzed as follows: - (1, -18): 1 + (-18) = -17 - (-1, 18): -1 + 18 = 17 - (2, -9): 2 + (-9) = -7 - (-2, 9): -2 + 9 = 7 - (3, -6): 3 + (-6) = -3 - (-3, 6): -3 + 6 = 3 From this, we see that the pair \(2\) and \(-9\) adds to \(-7\) and multiplies to \(-18\). Thus, the fact

To find the factored form of the quadratic expression (x^2 - 7x - 18), we want to write it in the form ((x + p)(x + q)) where (p) and (q) are numbers that multiply to give the constant term (-18 in this case) and add up to give the coefficient of the linear term (-7).

First, we need to find two numbers that multiply to -18 and add to -7. The pairs of factors of -18 can be analyzed as follows:

• (1, -18): 1 + (-18) = -17

• (-1, 18): -1 + 18 = 17

• (2, -9): 2 + (-9) = -7

• (-2, 9): -2 + 9 = 7

• (3, -6): 3 + (-6) = -3

• (-3, 6): -3 + 6 = 3

From this, we see that the pair (2) and (-9) adds to (-7) and multiplies to (-18). Thus, the fact