Question

question
factor.
$x^2 - 12x + 20$

Explanation:

Step1: Find two terms for splitting

We need two numbers that multiply to $20$ and add to $-12$. These numbers are $-10$ and $-2$.
Rewrite the middle term:
$x^2 - 10x - 2x + 20$

Step2: Group and factor pairs

Group the first two and last two terms, then factor out the GCF from each group:
$(x^2 - 10x) + (-2x + 20) = x(x - 10) - 2(x - 10)$

Step3: Factor out common binomial

Factor out the shared binomial $(x - 10)$:
$(x - 10)(x - 2)$

Answer:

$(x - 10)(x - 2)$