Question

What are the factors of f(x)? Show your work

Answer 1

A function is shown below:

f(x) = x^3 + 2x^2 - x - 2

Answer 2

First trick is to try to see if the coefficients can some how add up to 0. If yes, then (x-1) or (x+1) may be a factor.

Answer 3

So, 1+2-1-2 = 0, so (x-1) or (x+1) is a factor.
By observation, (x-1) is a factor.

Answer 4

Your teacher probably wants a more "mathematical" approach, but whatever.

Answer 5

Lolz thanks anyways man.