How do you factor the expression x² + 2x - 3?

Solution:

The expression given is

x² + 2x - 3

Factoring polynomials using the method of splitting the middle term:

Here two numbers ‘a’ and ‘b’ are a + b = 2 and ab = 3.

By solving this we get, a = 3 and b = -1

The expression can be written a

x² + 2x - 3

= x² + 3x - x - 3

Taking out the common terms

= x(x + 3) - 1(x + 3)

= (x + 3)(x - 1)

Therefore, x + 3 and x - 1 are the factors of the expression x² + 2x - 3.

How do you factor the expression x² + 2x - 3?

Summary:

x + 3 and x - 1 are the factors of the expression x² + 2x - 3.