Question 206757
factor this and tell me step by step how you get every answer..
9x^3+18x^2-x-2
factor this and tell me step by step how you get every answer..
9x^3+18x^2-x-2
-------------------
1st: I check to see if f(1) and/or f(-1) = 0
2nd: If they do not I graph the equation to find a zero.
Your problem has a zero at x = -2
So it has a factor of x+2
------------------------------
3rd: Then I use synthetic division to find the other Real Number zeroes.
-2)....9....18....-1....-2
.......9..... 0.....-1...|..0

Since the Quotient is 9x^2-1
the other factors are (3x-1)(3x+1)
--------------------------------------
Final Answer: (x+2)(3x-1)(3x+1)
======================================
Cheers,
Stan H.