Question

question
factor.
$x^2 + 5x - 14$

Explanation:

Step1: Find pair with sum 5, product -14

We need two numbers that add to $5$ and multiply to $-14$: $7$ and $-2$.

Step2: Split middle term and factor

Rewrite $5x$ as $7x-2x$, then factor by grouping:

$$\begin{align*} x^2+7x-2x-14&=x(x+7)-2(x+7)\\ &=(x+7)(x-2) \end{align*}$$

Answer:

$(x+7)(x-2)$