3
advanced-math

Which of the following is a factor of x2+3x10x^2 + 3x - 10?

A

(x5)(x - 5)

B

(x+2)(x + 2)

C

(x2)(x - 2)

D

(x+10)(x + 10)

Correct Answer: C

Choice C is the correct answer. We need to factor x2+3x10x^2 + 3x - 10. We seek two numbers that multiply to -10 and add to +3.

  1. Factors of -10: (-1, 10), (1, -10), (-2, 5), (2, -5).
  2. Sums: 1+10=9-1+10=9, 110=91-10=-9, 2+5=3-2+5=3, 25=32-5=-3.
  3. The correct pair is -2 and 5.

So, the expression factors as (x2)(x+5)(x - 2)(x + 5). Therefore, (x2)(x - 2) is one of the factors.

Choice A is incorrect because the factor is (x+5)(x+5), not (x5)(x-5). Choice B is incorrect because the factor is (x2)(x-2), not (x+2)(x+2). Choice D is incorrect because 10 is not part of the correct factor pair.