SOLUTION: The problem is: y^3 + 2y^2 - 4y - 8 I know I am supposed to find the GCF, but I am not understanding what to do because there is not a common factor of y or 8. I don't think

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: The problem is: y^3 + 2y^2 - 4y - 8 I know I am supposed to find the GCF, but I am not understanding what to do because there is not a common factor of y or 8. I don't think      Log On


   

Question 146136This question is from textbook Introductory Algebra
: The problem is: y^3 + 2y^2 - 4y - 8
I know I am supposed to find the GCF, but I am not understanding what to do because there is not a common factor of y or 8. I don't think I am understanding any of this. I think the GCF would be y but then there is the 8. I am not sure what to do. This question is from textbook Introductory Algebra

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I'm assuming you want to factor.

y%5E3%2B2y%5E2-4y-8 Start with the given expression

%28y%5E3%2B2y%5E2%29%2B%28-4y-8%29 Group like terms


y%5E2%28y%2B2%29-4%28y%2B2%29 Factor out the GCF y%5E2 out of the first group. Factor out the GCF -4 out of the second group


%28y%5E2-4%29%28y%2B2%29 Since we have the common term y%2B2, we can combine like terms


%28y-2%29%28y%2B2%29%28y%2B2%29 Factor y%5E2-4 to get %28y-2%29%28y%2B2%29


%28y-2%29%28y%2B2%29%5E2 Group like terms


So y%5E3%2B2y%5E2-4y-8 factors to %28y-2%29%28y%2B2%29%5E2