answer
D 2
factor
factor the equation [tex]x^{2} - 2x - 8 = 0[/tex] into (x + a) and (x + b) so that a + b = -2 and a * b = -8
the two numbers that meet these conditions are a = -4 and b = 2
[tex]x^{2} - 2x - 8 = (x - 4)(x + 2)[/tex]
find solutions
set both (x - 4) and (x + 2) equal to zero to find your solutions
x - 4 = 0
x = 4
x + 2 = 0
x = -2
add solutions
since the two solutions are x = 4 and x = -2, add them together to get your final answer
4 + (-2) = 2
