Question 120483

{{{Factoring}}} is very important. Being able to factor is going to make it possible for you solve many problems. 
The {{{idea}}} here {{{is}}} to find a factor that all the terms have {{{in}}}{{{ common}}}, and {{{pull}}}{{{ it}}}{{{ out}}}{{{ front}}}.
Factoring means to write an algebraic expression (or monomial, or polynomial) as a {{{multiplication}}}to be able to simplify algebraic expressions. 
The first thing to look for when you have to factor is {{{common }}}{{{terms}}}.


{{{x^3-3x^2+4x-12}}}….group first two terms and second two terms together

{{{(x^3-3x^2) + (4x-12)}}}…….factor out common {{{x^2}}} from the first group, and common {{{4}}} from the second group

{{{x^2(x -3) + 4(x-3)}}}…….combine like terms

{{{(x^2 + 4)(x-3)}}}………..since {{{x^2 + 4}}}  cannot be factored, your answer will be:

{{{(x^2 + 4)(x-3)}}}