SOLUTION: This is a problem I came across online: Factor the expression below completely. All coefficients should be integers: 2x^2-4x-16. My answer was (2x+4)(x-4) which it said was wrong.

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: This is a problem I came across online: Factor the expression below completely. All coefficients should be integers: 2x^2-4x-16. My answer was (2x+4)(x-4) which it said was wrong.       Log On


   

Question 887396: This is a problem I came across online: Factor the expression below completely. All coefficients should be integers: 2x^2-4x-16. My answer was (2x+4)(x-4) which it said was wrong. The correct answer was 2(x-4)(x+2). Is my answer also correct, or is it not considered completely factored? I was under the impression that either way was correct, and just a matter of preference. Thanks
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You factored it correctly, but not fully. You can factor 2x+4 to get 2(x+2)

So (2x+4)(x-4) turns into 2(x+2)(x-4)

The order of the factors does not matter and this is the same as 2(x-4)(x+2)