Factor x2 + x – 42.

An x-method chart shows the product negative 42 at the top of x and 1 at the bottom of x. 7 is on the left side of x and negative 6 is on the right side.
Use the completed X diagram to replace the x-term in the trinomial with two x-terms.

x2 + x – 42 = x2 +– 42

Next, use double grouping to factor the four terms.

= x()–(x + 7)

=

To verify, the factors.