SOLUTION: I am trying to remember how to factor a problem, can you help me? Factor completely: x^3 – 2x^2 + 7x – 14

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I am trying to remember how to factor a problem, can you help me? Factor completely: x^3 – 2x^2 + 7x – 14       Log On


   

Question 146162: I am trying to remember how to factor a problem, can you help me?
Factor completely:
x^3 – 2x^2 + 7x – 14
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, Edwin McCravy:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

x%5E3-2x%5E2%2B7x-14 Start with the given expression

%28x%5E3-2x%5E2%29%2B%287x-14%29 Group like terms


x%5E2%28x-2%29%2B7%28x-2%29 Factor out the GCF x%5E2 out of the first group. Factor out the GCF 7 out of the second group


%28x%5E2%2B7%29%28x-2%29 Since we have the common term x-2, we can combine like terms

So x%5E3-2x%5E2%2B7x-14 factors to %28x%5E2%2B7%29%28x-2%29

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I am trying to remember how to factor a problem, can you help me?
Factor completely:
+x%5E3-+2x%5E2+%2B+7x+-+14+

Factor just the first two terms by taking out x%5E2

+x%5E2%28x-2%29+%2B+7x+-+14

Factor +7 out of the remaining two terms:

x%5E2%28x-2%29+%2B+7%28x+-+2%29

Factor out %28x-2%29

%28x-2%29%28x%5E2+%2B+7%29

That's it.

Edwin