SOLUTION: x^3 - 2x^2 + 7x - 14

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: x^3 - 2x^2 + 7x - 14      Log On


   



Question 822129: x^3 - 2x^2 + 7x - 14
Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x%5E3+-+2x%5E2+%2B+7x+-+14
This can be factored pretty easily using the factoring by grouping method:
First make each half a group:
%28x%5E3+-+2x%5E2%29+%2B+%287x+-+14%29
Then factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from each group:
x%5E2%28x+-+2%29+%2B+7%28x+-+2%29
Then, if you're lucky, the "non-GCF" factors in each group match. (As you can see, we are lucky. The (x-2)'s match.) When the "non-GCF" factors match, factor that factor out of each group:
red%28x%5E2%29%28x+-+2%29+%2B+red%287%29%28x+-+2%29
%28x+-+2%29%28red%28x%5E2+%2B+7%29%29