SOLUTION: factoring using the Distributive property. x3+3x2-4x-12

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Question 139597This question is from textbook
: factoring using the Distributive property.
x3+3x2-4x-12This question is from textbook

Answer by jim_thompson5910(21667) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x%5E3%2B3x%5E2-4x-12 Start with the given expression

%28x%5E3%2B3x%5E2%29%2B%28-4x-12%29 Group like terms


x%5E2%28x%2B3%29-4%28x%2B3%29 Factor out the GCF x%5E2 out of the first group. Factor out the GCF -4 out of the second group


%28x%5E2-4%29%28x%2B3%29 Since we have the common term x%2B3, we can combine like terms


%28x%2B2%29%28x-2%29%28x%2B3%29 Factor x%5E2-4 by using the difference of squares to get %28x%2B2%29%28x-2%29

So x%5E3%2B3x%5E2-4x-12 factors to %28x%2B2%29%28x-2%29%28x%2B3%29