Question

how do I factor 2x^3-16x

Answer 1

Take the greatest common factor (GCF) of the binomial first.

Answer 2

Any ideas?

Answer 3

$$\huge 2x^3-16x$$

Answer 4

The GCF of something like 4x^3-32x
would be 4x(x^2-8), based off of this example what would the gcf of 2x^3 -16x be?

Answer 5

2x^2(x-8)?

Answer 6

no. its 16x.
not 16x^2.
so its
2x(x^2-8)
from there you factor it .

Answer 7

how do I factor it from there? Is it 2x(x-8)(x+1)?

Answer 8

it would include a radical

Answer 9

ok thank you.

Answer 10

note $$x^2 -8$$ can be thought of as the difference of two squares.

Answer 11

will you elaborate?