Question

Factor completely: 2x3 + 6x2 + 2x + 6

I will award medals

Answer 1

Well, this is going to be a fun one.

Answer 2

Great :)

Answer 3

Hello?

Answer 4

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/factquad4.htm

Answer 5

Read that.

Answer 6

you can divide it in 2 parts as follows:
(2x^3+6x^2) + (2x+6) then simplify

Answer 7

you get
2x^2(x+3)+2(x+3)

Answer 8

that is equal to

(2x^2+2)(x+3)

Answer 9

What happens to the GCF?

Answer 10

ok, so @SnuggieLad, would this be it, 2[(x + 3)(x2 + 1)]

Answer 11

no, the GCF could be
2x^2(x+3)+2(x+3)

Answer 12

Ive you got this one.

Answer 13

@ivettef365, how? Not all of the constants or coefficients have the x^2

Answer 14

that is why it needs to be divided in two parts, otherwise the GCF for the whole problem would be 2

Answer 15

Which is what I thought.

Answer 16

and then you have

2(x^3+3x^2+x+3)

Answer 17

but the question asks to factor completely

Answer 18

Yea, so when you factor everything don't you get 2[(x + 3)(x2 + 1)] so when you distribute you get the original problem.