Question

factor completely. $2x^2 - 5x - 7$

Explanation:

Step1: Find product of a and c

$a=2, c=-7$, so $2\times(-7)=-14$

Step2: Find two factors of -14

Factors: -7 and 2 (since $-7+2=-5$)

Step3: Split middle term

$2x^2 -7x +2x -7$

Step4: Factor by grouping

$x(2x -7) +1(2x -7)$

Step5: Combine common factors

$(2x -7)(x +1)$

Answer:

$(2x - 7)(x + 1)$