Question

question
factor.
$x^2 - 5x + 4$

Explanation:

Step1: Find two numbers

We need two numbers that multiply to \(4\) (the constant term) and add up to \(-5\) (the coefficient of the \(x\)-term). The numbers are \(-1\) and \(-4\) because \((-1)\times(-4) = 4\) and \((-1)+(-4)=-5\).

Step2: Factor the quadratic

Using the numbers from Step 1, we can factor \(x^{2}-5x + 4\) as \((x - 1)(x - 4)\).

Answer:

\((x - 1)(x - 4)\)