Question

Help With Factoring?

Answer 1

Some steps to rewrite the expression x3 - 4x + x2 - 4 as a product of three factors are shown below:

Step 1: x3 - 4x + x2 - 4
Step 2: x3 + x2 - 4x - 4
Step 3: x2(x + 1) - 4(x + 1)

Which of the following best shows the next two steps to rewrite the expression?

Step 4: (x2 - 4)(x + 1); Step 5: (x - 2)(x + 2)(x + 1)

Step 4: (x2 + 4)(x + 1); Step 5: (x + 2)(x + 2)(x + 1)

Step 4: (x2 - 4)(x + 1); Step 5: (x + 2)(x + 2)(x + 1)

Step 4: (x2 + 4)(x + 1); Step 5: (x - 2)(x + 2)(x + 1)

Answer 2

This is factoring by grouping.
I'll take the given steps and then proceed to a partial solution. Maybe that will help.
Step 1: x^3 - 4x + x^2 - 4
Step 2: x^3 + x^2 - 4x - 4
Step 3: x^2(x + 1) - 4(x + 1) (x + 1) is a common factor of both x^2(x + 1)
and
- 4(x + 1) So, #4 (x + 1) ( x^2 - 4) #5 (x^2 - 4) (x + 1)
How does (x^2 - 4) factor?

Answer 3

I don't know how @Muzzack ?

Answer 4

Final result :

(x + 2) • (x - 2) • (x + 1)

Answer 5

its A