Question

Factor x2 + x – 42. x2 + x – 42 = x2 + – 42
= x( )– (x + 7) =

Answer 1

Hey there :)

x² + x - 42

The sum is 1
The product is - 42

Possibilities? 
$\left \{ {{6(-7)=-42} \atop {6+(-7)=-1}} \right.$
This is wrong since the sum is not 1

$\left \{ {{7(-6)=-42} \atop {7+(-6)=1}} \right.$
This is right

So the factored version will be:
( x + 7 )( x - 6 )