Start by grouping the terms in pairs: \(-x^2 - 5x\) and \(7x + 35\).
Factor out the greatest common factor from each pair. For \(-x^2 - 5x\), factor out \(-x\), giving \(-x(x + 5)\). For \(7x + 35\), factor out \(7\), giving \(7(x + 5)\).
Notice that both groups now contain a common binomial factor \((x + 5)\).
Factor out the common binomial \((x + 5)\) from the entire expression, resulting in \((x + 5)(-x + 7)\).
Verify the factorization by expanding \((x + 5)(-x + 7)\) to ensure it matches the original polynomial \(-x^2 - 5x + 7x + 35\).