Factorise x²  - 2x - 8.

The factors of the above equation will be in the form of (x + a) (x - b).

Answer:  The factors of x² - 2x - 8 are (x + 4) and (x - 2)

Here's is the explanation to factorise x²  - 2x - 8.

Explanation: 

To find the factors of x² - 2x - 8 we need to split the middle term i.e - 2x.

2x = - 4x + 2x

Therefore, x² - 2x - 8 can be written as x² - 4x + 2x - 8.

On taking 'x'  common from first two terms and 2 from next two terms we get

x (x + 4) - 2 (x + 4)

= (x - 2) (x + 4)

Thus, the factors of x² - 2x - 8 are (x - 2) and (x + 4).