Question

this is the only question in this section
question
factor.
$x^2 - 13x + 42$
answer attempt 1 out of 10

Explanation:

Step1: Find two numbers that multiply to 42 and add to -13.

We need two numbers \(a\) and \(b\) such that \(a \times b = 42\) and \(a + b = -13\). The numbers are -6 and -7 because \((-6) \times (-7) = 42\) and \((-6) + (-7) = -13\).

Step2: Factor the quadratic.

Using the numbers from Step 1, we can factor \(x^2 - 13x + 42\) as \((x - 6)(x - 7)\).

Answer:

\((x - 6)(x - 7)\)