Question

factor the following trinomial. $x^2 + 4x - 12$ $(x + ?)(x - \square)$

Explanation:

Step1: Find pair of factors of -12

We need two numbers that multiply to $-12$ and add to $4$. The pair is $6$ and $-2$, since $6 \times (-2) = -12$ and $6 + (-2) = 4$.

Step2: Substitute factors into binomials

Replace the unknowns in $(x+?)(x-?)$ with the found values. The positive factor goes in the first binomial, and the absolute value of the negative factor goes in the second.

Answer:

$(x + 6)(x - 2)$