document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=970657>Question 970657</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> factor the following polynomial: x^3+2x^2-x-2 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #593259 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Boreal><B>Boreal(15235)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Boreal><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=Boreal><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=593259\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> GROUP THIS\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "(x^3+2x^2) - (x+2)  NOTE: The negative sign distributes across BOTH the x and the 2.  This is still the same equation.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Factor both terms:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "x^2(x+2) - (1) (x+2) ;l I put in the 1 to emphasize it.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "The two (x+2) are each multiplied by something, and that is (x^2-1).  I combine them to get (x^2-1) (x+2).\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "But x^2-1 is a difference of squares, so\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "(x^2-1) (x+2) becomes (x+1) (x-1)(x+2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );