Andrew factored the expression -4x^3+2x^2+8x as -2x(4x^2-2x-8). But when Melissa applied the distributive law and multiplied out -2x(4x^2-2x-8), she got -8x^3+4x^2+16x; thus, Andrews solution does not appear to check. Why is that? Please help Andrew to understand this better. Explain your reasoning and correctly factor the original expression, if possible. If it is a prime, state it. Andrew factored the expression -4x^3+2x^2+8x as -2x(4x^2-2x-8). But when Melissa applied the distributive law and multiplied out -2x(4x^2-2x-8), she got -8x^3+4x^2+16x; thus, Andrews solution does not appear to check. Why is that? Please help Andrew to understand this better. Explain your reasoning and correctly factor the original expression, if possible. If it is a prime, state it. @Mathematics

Question

Andrew factored the expression -4x^3+2x^2+8x as -2x(4x^2-2x-8).  But when Melissa applied the distributive law and multiplied out -2x(4x^2-2x-8), she got -8x^3+4x^2+16x; thus, Andrews solution does not appear to check.  Why is that?  Please help Andrew to understand this better.  Explain your reasoning and correctly factor the original expression, if possible.  If it is a prime, state it. Andrew factored the expression -4x^3+2x^2+8x as -2x(4x^2-2x-8).  But when Melissa applied the distributive law and multiplied out -2x(4x^2-2x-8), she got -8x^3+4x^2+16x; thus, Andrews solution does not appear to check.  Why is that?  Please help Andrew to understand this better.  Explain your reasoning and correctly factor the original expression, if possible.  If it is a prime, state it. @Mathematics

anonymous · Answer

because andrew is a moron and failed to see that 2 times 1 is 2,   2 times 2 is 4 and 2 times 4 is 8.
so when he factors out -2x he should get -2x(2x^2-x-4)