Question

how do you factor 3x^3 - 48x ?

Answer 1

\[3x^3 - 48x \]
Factoring deals with grouping common terms. If you inspect this expression, you'll see that x is a common term between the two.
If you get the prime factors of the coefficients, you'll find that there's also a constant common term.
\[48=2*2*2*2*3\]
Now, if you rewrite this expression,
\[3x*x*x - 2*2*2*2*3x \]
you'll notice that you can group a 3 and an x from each of the two.
\[3x*x*x - 2*2*2*2*3x=3x(x*x)-3x(2*2*2*2)\]
Can you finish formatting the expression from here on your own?