What is the sum of the two solutions to x² - 5x - 24 = 0?

Factor the quadratic: $x^2 - 5x - 24 = (x - 8)(x + 3)$, so the solutions are $x = 8$ and $x = -3$. Their sum is $8 + (-3) = 5$, choice A. By Vieta's formulas, the sum of the roots of $x^2 + bx + c$ is $-b$, here $-(-5) = 5$. Choice B ($-5$) is $b$ itself, forgetting to flip the sign. Choice C ($-24$) is the product of the roots. Choice D (24) is the constant term without its sign. Sum is the opposite of the $x$-coefficient, and product is the constant term.