SOLUTION: 2x^3-x^2-15x

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Question 16559: 2x^3-x^2-15x
Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First take out the common factor which is x:
2x%5E3-x%5E2-15x

x%282x%5E2+-+x+-15%29

Next, try to factor the trinomial into the product of two binomials, beginning with the 2x%5E2. The only way to break this down is to say 2x *x. The signs will be opposite, since the last term is a -15.

x%282x%2B+_____%29%2A%28x-_____%29

Next, you need to find a combination of -15, what times what will come out to -15 in such a way that the outer times outer terms will subtract and give you a -1x for the middle term. The combination that works is 5 times -3, as follows:

x%282x%2B5%29%2A%28x-3%29+, where the outer times outer is -6x and the inner times inner is +5x, for a total of -1x. That should do it:

x%282x%2B5%29%2A%28x-3%29+

R^2 at SCC