SOLUTION: I need help factoring the following polynomial. Although it seems easy, I am not able to factor it. Factor completely: 2x^3 + 3x^2 - 1

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I need help factoring the following polynomial. Although it seems easy, I am not able to factor it. Factor completely: 2x^3 + 3x^2 - 1      Log On


   

Question 190674: I need help factoring the following polynomial. Although it seems easy, I am not able to factor it.
Factor completely:
2x^3 + 3x^2 - 1
Answer by orca(409) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You need to break up the middle term into two terms: 2x^2 + x^2.
So
2x%5E3+%2B+3x%5E2+-+1
=2x%5E3+%2B+2x%5E2+%2B+x%5E2+-+1
=%282x%5E3+%2B+2x%5E2%29+%2B+%28x%5E2+-+1%29 grouping
=2x%5E2%28x%2B1%29%2B%28x%2B1%29%28x-1%29
=%28x%2B1%29%282x%5E2%2Bx-1%29
=%28x%2B1%29%282x-1%29%28x%2B1%29
=%28x%2B1%29%5E2%282x-1%29