Answer
$(w-9)(w-8)$.
Work Step by Step
The given polynomial is
$=w^2-17w+72$
Standard form is $x^2+bx+c$.
We have $b=-17$ and $c=72$.
$b$ is negative and $c$ is positive.
Factor pair of $72$, whose sum is $-17$:-
$-9,-8$
The values of $p$ and $q$ are $-9$ and $-8$.
Hence, the factor of the polynomial is $(w+p)(w+q)=(w-9)(w-8)$.
Check:-
$=(w-9)(w-8)$
$=w^2-8w-9w+72$
$=w^2-17w+72$
True.
