Factor completely 2x^2-2x-40

Step-by-step explanation:

The best way to start is to take out the common factor (2)

2 (x^2 - x - 20)

What two numbers when multiplied together have a difference of 1 and multiply to 20?

The answer is 5 and 4, but you have to take the signs into consideration.

2 (x - 5) (x + 4)

Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

GCF = 2

Factor out the GCF. (Write the GCF first. Then, in parentheses, divide each term by the GCF.)

2 (2x^2/2 + - 2x/2 - 40/2)

Simplify each term in parentheses

2 (x^2 - x - 20)

Factor x^2 - x - 20

= 2 (x - 5) (x + 4)