What is the factored form of x² - 7x - 18?

To find the factored form of the quadratic expression (x^2 - 7x - 18), we want to write it in the form ((x + p)(x + q)) where (p) and (q) are numbers that multiply to give the constant term (-18 in this case) and add up to give the coefficient of the linear term (-7).

First, we need to find two numbers that multiply to -18 and add to -7. The pairs of factors of -18 can be analyzed as follows:

• (1, -18): 1 + (-18) = -17

• (-1, 18): -1 + 18 = 17

• (2, -9): 2 + (-9) = -7

• (-2, 9): -2 + 9 = 7

• (3, -6): 3 + (-6) = -3

• (-3, 6): -3 + 6 = 3

From this, we see that the pair (2) and (-9) adds to (-7) and multiplies to (-18). Thus, the fact