Factor the trinomial x^2+6x-16

For quadratics with an a value (coefficient of x²) of 1, we find factors of c, the constant, that sum to b, the coefficient of x. In our case we want factors of - 16 that sum to 6.

-16 = - 1 (16) or 16 (-1)

-16 = - 2 (8) or 8 (-2)

-16 = - 4 (4) or 4 (-4)

Out of these 6 possibilities, the only one that sums to 6 is 8 (-2), because 8 + (-2) = 6.

This gives us the factors (x+8) (x-2).