Question

$p(x) = x2 - 11x - 12$

Answer 1

Two solutions were found :
x = 12
x = -1
Step by step solution :
Step 1 :
Trying to factor by splitting the middle term
1.1 Factoring x2-11x-12

The first term is, x2 its coefficient is 1 .
The middle term is, -11x its coefficient is -11 .
The last term, "the constant", is -12

Step-1 : Multiply the coefficient of the first term by the constant 1 • -12 = -12

Step-2 : Find two factors of -12 whose sum equals the coefficient of the middle term, which is -11 .

-12 + 1 = -11 That's it

Step-3 : Rewrite the polynomial splitting the middle term using the two factors found in step 2 above, -12 and 1
x2 - 12x + 1x - 12

Step-4 : Add up the first 2 terms, pulling out like factors :
x • (x-12)
Add up the last 2 terms, pulling out common factors :
1 • (x-12)
Step-5 : Add up the four terms of step 4 :
(x+1) • (x-12)
Which is the desired factorization

Equation at the end of step 1 :
(x + 1) • (x - 12) = 0