Simon is factoring the polynomial. x squared minus 4 x minus 12 open paren x minus 6 close paren times open paren x plus underline close paren What value should Simon write on the line?

To factor x² − 4x − 12, find two numbers whose product is −12 and whose sum is −4. Those numbers are −6 and 2, so the factors are (x − 6)(x + 2). Simon should write 2 on the line.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.