Question

factorise: x² + 6x + 8 

Answer 1

To factorize x² + 6x + 8, we use the method of splitting the middle term.

The two numbers are 4 and 2, since:

4 ⋅ 2 = 8 and 4 + 2 = 6.

Split the middle term using these numbers

x² + 6x + 8 = x² + 4x + 2x + 8

(x² + 4x) + (2x + 8)

Factorize each group:

x(x + 4) + 2(x + 4)

Factor out the common term (x+4):

(x + 4)(x + 2)

x² + 6x + 8 = (x + 4)(x + 2)