Question

find the zeros of the function
f(x)=x^3-3x^2-6x-18

Answer 1

Factor the expression

Answer 2

factor by grouping?

Answer 3

set it equal to zero.\[x^3-3x^2-6x-18=0\]LOOK, I switched the order, FACTOR IT!\[x^3-6x-3x^2-18=0\]

Answer 4

Oh, I see what confuses you, because -3 * -6 would make POSITIVE 18 INSTEAD of NEGATIVE.

then just plug in all the +- factors of 18 into the equation for x.

3 of these factors (or possible zeros) will make the equation be equal to 0.