This appears to describe the process of factoring a quadratic...

This appears to describe the process of factoring a quadratic expression -4u^2 + 36u + 40. The goal is typically to simplify the expression into the product of two binomials or identify its factored form completely, if possible.

Here's an explanation of what this code (or mathematical operation) does:

1. Expression Analysis: Start with the quadratic expression -4u^2 + 36u + 40.
2. Common Factor Extraction: If there is a greatest common factor (GCF) across all terms, it will be factored out. In this case, the GCF of -4u^2, 36u, and 40 is -4.
   • Factor out -4: -4(u^2 - 9u - 10)
3. Factor the Remaining Quadratic: The quadratic u^2 - 9u - 10 needs to be factored further. You look for two numbers whose product is -10 (the constant term) and whose sum is -9 (the coefficient of u).
   • The numbers -10 and 1 work because -10 * 1 = -10 and -10 + 1 = -9.
   • This lets you factor as: u^2 - 9u - 10 = (u - 10)(u + 1).
4. Combine the Results: Substitute back the factored terms: -4(u - 10)(u + 1).

Final Output:

This code outputs the factored form of the quadratic expression:
-4(u - 10)(u + 1).