The expression x^2- x + 8.75 factors as (x + 2.5)(x - a) for some positive value "a". What is a? step by step, please.

3.5

Step-by-step explanation:

Write out quadratic

We are given that x+2.5 is a factor.

So our roots look like

Let apply the foil method to find some missing parts.

We know that the outer terms must multiply to 8.75. We also know that the middle terms must add up to -1.

The only number that satisfy this equation is

Since it already negative, it is

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step-by-step explanation: just trying to get points sorry : (