Is it possible to factor y=x3−3x2−4x+12? If so, what are the factors?
1 Answer
Jan 20, 2016
(x - 3 )(x - 2 )(x + 2 )
Explanation:
By factorising in pairs :
[x2(x−3)]+[−4(x−3)] ie
x2(x−3)−4(x−3) now there is a common factor of (x - 3 )
(x−3)(x2−4)
x2−4 is a difference of 2 squares.and
x2−4=(x−2)(x+2)
⇒x3−3x2−4x+12=(x−3)(x−2)(x+2)