Which of the following is a factor of the polynomial x² - x - 20?
(x - 5), (x + 5), (x - 4), (x + 4)

Solution:

A polynomial is a type of expression in which the exponents of all variables should be a whole number.

Given, the polynomial is x² - x - 20

We have to find the factor of the polynomial.

x² - x - 20 = 0

By splitting the middle term

x² - 5x + 4x - 20 = 0

By taking out the common terms

x(x - 5) + 4(x - 5) = 0

So we get

(x + 4)(x - 5) = 0

Therefore, (x + 4)(x - 5) are the factors of the polynomial x² - x - 20.

Which of the following is a factor of the polynomial x² - x - 20?

Summary:

(x + 4)(x - 5) are the factors of the polynomial x² - x - 20.