Assume x and y are the factor of w^2 + 9w +20, so w^2 + 9w + 20 = (w + x) (w + y)...(i)
(w + x) (w + y) = w^2 + wy + wx + xy
= w^2 + (x + y)w + xy
Because w^2 + (x + y)w + xy = w^2 + 9w + 20, we can find 2 equations: x + y = 9...(ii) and xy = 20...(iii)
Based on try an error on 2 equations (ii) and (iii), we found the solutions of x and y can be 4 and 5. When we submit the solutions into equation (i), then we can find w^2 + 9w + 20 = (w + x) (w + y) = (w + 4) (w + 5). Therefore, the solution should be (w + 4) (w + 5)#
Check:
(w + 4) (w + 5) = w^2 + 5w + 4w + 4*5
= w^2 + 9w + 20
Therefore, w^2 + 9w + 20 = (w + 4) (w + 5)#
if it is w^2, you put w at the start of each bracket. and then find two numbers which multiply to make 20 (5 and 4), and put them also in the brackets =)
Find two numbers with SUM = 9 and PRODUCT = 20.
It is easiest to start with the PRODUCT part: 20 = 1 x 20 or 2 x 10 or 4 x 5.
Only the combination (4, 5) gives sum 9.