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

Factor the quadratic: $x^2 - 5x - 24 = (x - 8)(x + 3)$, since $-8 \cdot 3 = -24$ and $-8 + 3 = -5$. The solutions are $x = 8$ and $x = -3$, and their product is $8 \times (-3) = -24$, choice C. By Vieta's formulas, the product of the roots of $x^2 + bx + c$ is $c$, here $-24$, so no factoring is needed. Choice A (24) drops the sign. Choice B (5) is the sum of the roots, $8 + (-3)$, not the product. Choice D ($-5$) is the $x$-coefficient. Be careful about which quantity is asked for.