SOLUTION: Please break this problem down for me step by step. I do not understand how the answer is achieved. I have the answer from the answer key in my book and i have tried to understa

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Please break this problem down for me step by step. I do not understand how the answer is achieved. I have the answer from the answer key in my book and i have tried to understa      Log On


   



Question 129603This question is from textbook Developmental Mathematics
: Please break this problem down for me step by step. I do not understand how the answer is achieved. I have the answer from the answer key in my book and i have tried to understand how it was reached but it seems it is beyond my capability at this point. Here is the problem: 4x^3-6x^2-6x+9 Any help will be greatly appreciated!!
Mathematically challenged,
Ron
This question is from textbook Developmental Mathematics

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You have not said what is to be done with this problem! I can only assume that the given expression is to be factored, am I right?
Let's proceed.
Factor the expression:
4x%5E3-6x%5E2-6x%2B9 Look at the first and last terms and see what their factors are:
4x%5E3+=+%282x%5E2%29%282x%29 or %28-2x%5E2%29%28-2x%29 are possibilities.
4x%5E3+=+%284x%5E2%29%28x%29 is another.
9+=+%283%29%283%29 or %28-3%29%28-3%29 or %281%29%289%29 or %28-1%29%28-9%29
Now you need to make an "educated guess"
Let's try:
%282x%5E2-3%29%282x-3%29 as the factors.
Check, using FOIL:
%282x%5E2-3%29%282x-3%29+=+4x%5E2-6x%5E2-6x%2B9 Bingo!