I missed the first day of school and im already behind. i don't understand any of my math home work. please help me out:
factor completely:
1) x^4-3x^3+2x-6
2) 4x^3-2x^2-6x+3
3) y^2(y+2)-2(y+2)
4) y^2-6y+2y-12
5) x^3+2x^2+x+2
6) y^3-4y2+2y-8
thanks a lot!
Roger the Mole
Favorite Answer
1) x^4-3x^3+2x-6
Group:
(x^4-3x^3)+(2x-6)
Factor out the common factors:
x^3 (x - 3) + 2 (x - 3)
Use the distributive property:
(x - 3) (x^3 + 2)
The remaining cubic doesn't factor in rational numbers, so presumably you're finished.
2) 4x^3-2x^2-6x+3
Group:
(4x^3-2x^2)-(6x-3)
Factor out the common factors:
2x^2 (2x - 1) - 3 (2x - 1)
Use the distributive property:
(2x - 1) (2x^2 - 3)
The remaining quadratic doesn't factor in rational numbers, so presumably you're finished.
3) y^2(y+2)-2(y+2)
Use the distributive property:
(y+2) (y^2 -2)
The remaining quadratic doesn't factor in rational numbers, so presumably you're finished.
4) y^2-6y+2y-12
Group:
(y^2-6y)+(2y-12)
Factor out the common factors:
y (y - 6) + 2 (y - 6)
Use the distributive property:
(y - 6) ( + 2)
5) x^3+2x^2+x+2
Group:
(x^3+2x^2)+(x+2)
Factor out the common factor:
x^2 (x + 2) + (x + 2)
Use the distributive property:
(x + 2) (x^2 + 1)
The remaining quadratic doesn't factor in real numbers, so presumably you're finished.
6) y^3-4y2+2y-8
Group:
(y^3-4y^2)+(2y-8)
Factor out the common factors:
y^2 (y - 4) + 2 (y - 4)
Use the distributive property:
(y - 4) (y^2 + 2)
The remaining quadratic doesn't factor in real numbers, so presumably you're finished.
James
I could give you the answers but try checking out khan academy.com theyve got tips and videos on everything math related including factoring. And i still use that site for help in my calculus class .