Question: Factorise:
x2 − 17x + 16
Solution:
The given expression is $x^{2}-17 x+16$.
Find two numbers that follow the conditions given below:
Sum $=-17$
Product $=16$
Clearly, the numbers are $-16$ and $-1$.
$x^{2}-17 x+16=x^{2}-16 x-x+16$
$=x(x-16)-1(x-16)$
$=(x-16)(x-1)$
