Example

Factoring 2x+x2−482x + x^2 - 48

To factor the trinomial 2x+x2−482x + x^2 - 48, it must first be written in descending order of degree (standard form).

Rearranging the terms gives x2+2x−48x^2 + 2x - 48.

Because the leading coefficient is 11, find two numbers that multiply to −48-48 and add to 22.

The factors of −48-48 are −1-1 and 4848, −2-2 and 2424, −3-3 and 1616, −4-4 and 1212, and −6-6 and 88.

The sum of −6-6 and 88 is −6+8=2-6 + 8 = 2.

Using −6-6 and 88 as the constant terms in the binomials, the factored form is (x−6)(x+8)(x - 6)(x + 8).

Verify the result by multiplying: (x−6)(x+8)=x2+8x−6x−48=x2+2x−48(x - 6)(x + 8) = x^2 + 8x - 6x - 48 = x^2 + 2x - 48.

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Updated 2026-06-05

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