Question

Factorise the following:
7(x - 2)² - 13(x - 2) - 2

Answer 1

7(x - 2)² - 13(x - 2) - 2
= 7(x - 2)² - 14(x - 2) + (x - 2) - 2
= 7(x - 2)(x - 2 - 2) + 1(x - 2 - 2)
= 7(x - 2)(x - 4) + 1(x - 4)
= (x - 4)[7(x - 2) + 1]
= (x - 4)(7x - 14 + 1)
= (x - 4)(7x - 13).