document.write( "Question 119398: Factor Each expression:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x^3 +x^2 -x -1 \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #87468 by jim_thompson5910(35256) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E3%2Bx%5E2-x-1\"$ Start with the given expression\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x%5E3%2Bx%5E2%29%2B%28-x-1%29\"$ Group like terms\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2%28x%2B1%29-1%28x%2B1%29\"$ Factor out the GCF $\"x%5E2\"$ out of the first group. Factor out the GCF $\"-1\"$ out of the second group\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x%5E2-1%29%28x%2B1%29\"$ Since we have the common term $\"x%2B1\"$ , we can combine like terms\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x-1%29%28x%2B1%29%28x%2B1%29\"$ Now factor $\"x%5E2-1\"$ by using the difference of squares\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x-1%29%28x%2B1%29%5E2\"$ Multiply\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So $\"x%5E3%2Bx%5E2-x-1\"$ factors to $\"%28x-1%29%28x%2B1%29%5E2\"$
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