these are a lot easier when they r like this...no coefficient in front of ur x^2.
x^2 + 5x - 14....u see ur last sign, the -.....this tells me that in ur 2 factors, both signs will be different....one is positive and one is negative. U see ur first sign, the +, this tells me that ur bigger number will be positive. Now we just have to find 2 numbers, that when added = 5 and when multiplied = 14, So ur 2 numbers are 7 and 2.