# Xsquared - 11x - 42

1. Oct 3, 2004

### x_paddypaws_x

please please please please help!! really easy question but i'm stuck!

I am sooooo stuck on this question in my maths homework! I know it's a really easy one probably but I can't seem to do it! It's about factorising,
I don't know where the squared key on the p.c. is so im going to put squared after the x to represent x squared

xsquared - 11x - 42

I know because of the x squared it has to be two sets of brackets each with x in the front and it has to be two numbers that add to make -11 and times to make -42 I THINK

please please please please please please please please please please help me!

2. Oct 3, 2004

### arildno

Welcome to PF!
1. Cool down a bit, and answer first:
What do you need to know in order to factorize a polynomial?

3. Oct 3, 2004

### x_paddypaws_x

??? i'm only in year 9! but im going to delete this thread cos my dad just saved me! phew!

4. Oct 3, 2004

### arildno

That was nice of him!

5. Oct 3, 2004

### x_paddypaws_x

yeah, sorry for wasting your time

6. Oct 3, 2004

### arildno

No problem!
You might compare my answer with your Dad's:
$$x^{2}-11x-42=(x-14)(x+3)$$

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