Question

Is it possible to factor `y= x^3-3x^2+x-55`? If so, what are the factors?

Answer 1

y = (x - 5)(x^2 + 2x + 11)

Explanation:

Because the last term is 55, then we try the root x = 5
y(5) = 125 - 75 + 5 - 55 = 0.
Then, a factor is (x - 5)
After division -->`y = (x - 5)(x^2 + 2x + 11)`
The trinomial in parentheses can't be factored because its D < 0.