Question

What about this with variables?! Factor the expression completely.
(a^2 + 2a)^2 − 2(a^2 + 2a) − 3

Answer 1

take a^2 + 2a = t

u get

t^2 -2t -3
t^2 - 3t + t - 3
t(t-3) + (t-3)
(t+1)(t-3)
now replace t

Answer 2

im not understanding what u mean

Answer 3

which part dont u get?

Answer 4

adding the t. it doesnt make sense
what does it come out to when u factor it completely.

Answer 5

?

Answer 6

him 1618 do you know what it comes out to ?

Answer 7

(a^2 + 2a + 1)(a^2 + 2a -3)

Answer 8

Let u=a^2+2a

Now substitute this u in everywhere you have an a^2+2a:
u^2-2u-3

Factor this with respect to u:
(u-3)(u+1)

Now we've factored for u, but the problem asked us to factor for a, so we need to plug a^2+2a everywhere we have a u:

(a^2+2a-3)(a^2+2a+1)

Now, we can factor each of these further:
(a+3)(a-1)(a+1)(a+1)