Answer
(x - 5)(3x - 1)
Work Step by Step
Because the first term has a coefficient other than 1, you must first multiply the first coefficient by the last one, and try to find two factors of this product that sum to the coefficient of the second term. In this case, multiply 3 by 5 for 15, and find two factors, -15 and -1, that add to the middle coefficient, -15. The expression is then rewritten, and instead of the original middle term, the two factors found are now inserted into the expression, giving:
3$x^2$ - 15x - x - 5
Now the first two terms are grouped together and the last two terms are grouped together, and each is factored as a binomial. giving:
3x(x - 5) + -1(x -5)
(x - 5)(3x - 1)
