Question

question
factor.
$x^2 - 8x + 15$

Explanation:

Step1: Find two numbers

We need two numbers that multiply to \(15\) and add up to \(-8\). The numbers are \(-3\) and \(-5\) since \((-3)\times(-5) = 15\) and \(-3+(-5)=-8\).

Step2: Factor the quadratic

Using the formula \(x^{2}+bx + c=(x + m)(x + n)\) where \(m\) and \(n\) are the two numbers we found, we get:
\(x^{2}-8x + 15=(x - 3)(x - 5)\)

Answer:

\((x - 3)(x - 5)\)