7
advanced-mathFactor:
A
B
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the correct answer. We need to factor the trinomial into where and .
- Since the product is positive and the sum is negative, both numbers must be negative.
- Pairs of factors for 20: (-1, -20), (-2, -10), (-4, -5).
- Sums: , , .
The correct pair is -4 and -5, so the factorization is .
Choice B is incorrect because the sum would be +9. Choice C is incorrect because the sum would be -12. Choice D is incorrect because the sum would be +21.