intermediate algebra

hopen2impov said:
-x^3 +x^2 +42x

(x -6) (x -7)

Look what happens when we expand your result (i.e., "multiply everything out").

(x - 6)(x - 7) = x^2 - 13x + 42

This quadratic polynomial (2nd-degree polynomial) does not match the given cubic polynomial (3rd-degree polynomial).

So, your answer is not correct.


When you factor a polynomial, the very first thing to look for is any factors that are common to each term.

Each of the terms in your given polynomial contain at least one factor of x. Start by factoring that out.

 
-x^3 +x^2 +42
(x-7) (x^2-6)
answer x^3 -6x-7x^2 +42
factor answer x^3 -x^2 +42 am i close or correct?
 
hopen2impov said:
-x^3 +x^2 +42
If you're hopen2impov, you should be more careful: equation is -x^3 + x^2 + 42x

Start this way: -x(x^2 - x - 42)
 
Top