Factoring Polynomials

• (3x+1)(x-3)

• (3x-1)(x+3)

• -(3x+1)(x-3)

• -(3x-1)(x+3) 

Answer explanation

1. Factor out a negative 1:

-(3x²+8x-3)

2. Factor the polynomial.

• (p+5)(p+8)

• (p-5)(p+8)

• (p-8)(p-5)

• (p+5)(p-8)

Answer explanation

The numbers within the two factors should have a sum equal to 13 and a product equal to 40. The two numbers that fit these conditions are 8 and 5, so the factors are (p+8) and (p+5).

• (n+6)(n-10)

• (n+6)(n+10)

• (n-6)(n-10)

• (n-6)(n+10)

Answer explanation

The numbers within the two factors should have a sum equal to -16 and a product equal to 60. The two numbers that fit these conditions are -10 and -6, so the factors are (n-6) and (n-10).

• (m+4)(m-9)

• (m+4)(m+9)

• (m-4)(m+9)

• (m-4)(m-9)

Answer explanation

The numbers within the two factors should have a sum equal to 13 and a product equal to 36. The two numbers that fit these conditions are 4 and 9, so the factors are (m+4) and (m+9).

• (k-7)(k-10)

• (k-7)(k+10)

• (k+7)(k+10)

• (k+7)(k-10)

Answer explanation

The numbers within the two factors should have a sum equal to 17 and a product equal to 70. The two numbers that fit these conditions are 7 and 10, so the factors are (k+7) and (k+10).

• (x-8)(x-6)

• (x-8)(x+6)

• (x+8)(x-6)

• (x+8)(x+6)

Answer explanation

The numbers within the two factors should have a sum equal to -14 and a product equal to 48. The two numbers that fit these conditions are -8 and -6, so the factors are (x-8) and (x-6).

• (m-1)(m-8)

• (m-1)(m+8)

• (m+1)(m-8)

• (m+1)(m+8)

Answer explanation

The numbers within the two factors should have a sum equal to 7 and a product equal to -8. The two numbers that fit these conditions are 8 and -1, so the factors are (m-1) and (m+8).

• (x-5)(x+7)

• (x-5)(x-7)

• (x+5)(x-7)

• (x+5)(x+7)

Answer explanation

The numbers within the two factors should have a sum equal to -2 and a product equal to -35. The two numbers that fit these conditions are 5 and -7, so the factors are (x+5) and (x-7).

• (a-9)(a+1)

• (a-9)(a-1)

• (a+9)(a-1)

• (a+9)(a+1)

Answer explanation

The numbers within the two factors should have a sum equal to -10 and a product equal to 9. The two numbers that fit these conditions are -9 and -1, so the factors are (a-9) and (a-1).

• (5x+3)(x-8)

• (5x+3)(x+8)

• (5x-3)(x-8)

• (5x-3)(x+8)