What is the factored form of x^2-6x-16?

(x + 2)(x—8)

Step-by-step explanation:

x^2 — 6x — 16

We can begin by multiplying the the first term (x^2) and last term (—16) together. This gives —16x^2

Next, we find two factors of of —16x^2 such that the sum of the two factors will result to the second term (—6x). These factors are —8x and 2x. Now we substitute these factor in place of —6x in the equation as shown below:

x^2 — 6x — 16

x^2 —8x + 2x — 16

Now we factorise as follows:

x(x—8) + 2(x—8)

Now we have same entities in both brackets. Therefore we shall pick 1

(x + 2)(x—8)