Question

factor the trinomial, or state that the trinomial is prime.
x² - 14x - 32
select the correct choice below and fill in any answer boxes within your choice.
a. x² - 14x - 32 =
b. the polynomial is prime.

Explanation:

Step1: Find two numbers

We need two numbers that multiply to - 32 and add up to - 14. The numbers are - 16 and 2 since $(-16)\times2=-32$ and $-16 + 2=-14$.

Step2: Rewrite the trinomial

$x^{2}-14x - 32=x^{2}-16x+2x - 32$.

Step3: Group the terms

$(x^{2}-16x)+(2x - 32)$.

Step4: Factor out the GCF from each group

$x(x - 16)+2(x - 16)$.

Step5: Factor out the common binomial factor

$(x - 16)(x + 2)$.

Answer:

A. $x^{2}-14x - 32=(x - 16)(x + 2)$