SOLUTION: What is the factored form of 12x^4-20x^3+4x^2

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Question 779139: What is the factored form of 12x^4-20x^3+4x^2
Found 2 solutions by tommyt3rd, josgarithmetic:
Answer by tommyt3rd(5050) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
12x^4-20x^3+4x^2=
4x^2(3x^2-5x+1)

Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Rational Roots Theorem would seem most useful, but first factor the constant factor of 4.

12x%5E4-20x%5E3%2B4x%5E2
4%283x%5E4-5x%5E3%2Bx%5E2%29
and also factor the common x%5E2.
highlight%284x%5E2%283x%5E2-5x%2B1%29%29

If the determinant is negative, then you can leave like that, since the quadratic factor may be easiest in the trinomial form.
%28-5%29%5E2-4%2A3%2A1=25-12=13, POSITIVE 13.

Still could be best to leave it like it is, because the roots of the quadratic are irrational, making the factorization of this quadratic a bit messy looking.