Question

How do you factor the trinomial `x^2 - 8x + 15`?

Answer 1

`(x-3)(x-5)`

Explanation:

Note: `3xx5=+15`

`(-3)xx(-5)=+15` as well!

`(-3)+(-5)=(-8)`

So we have:

`(x-3)(x-5) = x^2-3x-5x+15`