A partial factorization of x2-3x-10 is modeled with algebra tiles

X² - 3x - 10

x² = x * x

10 can be factored:

1 x 10 ⇒⇒⇒ difference between factors = 9

2 x 5 ⇒⇒⇒ difference between factors = 3 ⇒ (The correct pair)

(x-5) (x+2) = x (x+2) - 5 (x+2)

= x² + 2x - 5x - 10

= x² - 3x - 10

∴ x - 5 = 0 ⇒⇒⇒ x = 5

x + 2 = 0 ⇒⇒⇒ x = - 2