Respuesta :
C. (x+1) is a factor
To find the factors of a polynomial they have to multiply to the last part of the problem and add to the middle part so the factors would be (x+1) and (x-2)
To find the factors of a polynomial they have to multiply to the last part of the problem and add to the middle part so the factors would be (x+1) and (x-2)
Answer: C. (x+1) is a factor
Step-by-step explanation:
First we need to factor the polynomial x^2 - x - 2.
It is written in the form ax^2 + bx + c
a = 1
b = -1
c = -2
Since the coefficient in front of x^2 is 1 we can start with (x + _) (x + _).
Now we need to find a pair of numbers that when multiplied together equal -2 (c) and when added together equal -1 (b).
The only pairs of numbers that multiply to make -2 are: -2 and 1, -1 and 2
The pair must also equal -1 when added together.
-1 + 2 = 1
-2 + 1 = -1
Therefore, to fill in the blanks for (x+_)(x+_) we should use -2 and 1.
x^2 - x - 2 factored becomes: (x-2)(x+1)
As you can see, (x+1) is a factor of x^2 - x - 2, so you can select c.