Question

What does this mean : "write the function as a product of linear and irreducible quadratic factors with real coefficients"?
f(x)=x^3-x^2-x-2

Answer 1

\[x ^{3}-x ^{2}-x-2\]

Answer 2

Do you have to show your work, or just get an answer?

Answer 3

Always show your work.

It means "Factor Completely" if you are reading an Algebra I book.

Answer 4

Yeah, they just want you to factor that expression as much as possible.

Answer 5

Do you know about synthetic division?

Answer 6

a little, yes

Answer 7

What are the possible factors for your polynomial using the rational root theorem?

Answer 8

i'll save you some time...gotta go here... possible roots (or factors) are +-1 and +-2.
Only 2 works.