Question

The most efficient first step in the process to factor the trinomial 4x3-20x2+24x
A. factor out 4
B. factor out –1
C. factor out (x – 3)
D. factor out 4x

Answer 1

Check if there is a numerical common factor.
If there is, this is the most efficient first step.

Answer 2

What do you mean?

Answer 3

I think the most efficient way is to factor out the Greatest Common Factor first.

Answer 4

Which would be 4?

Answer 5

You figured out that 4 is the greatest numerical factor. Now the question becomes, Is there a variable that is common to each term? If so factor that out as well.

Answer 6

I'm lost

Answer 7

Explain how you figured out that 4 is one of the common factors?

Answer 8

it goes into almost all numbers

Answer 9

What about the variables? We have to consider the variables as well.

Answer 10

would it be x?

Answer 11

Yes it would. So my question to you is, What is the Greatest common factor of the given expression?

Answer 12

4x?

Answer 13

Correct

Answer 14

OMG! Thank you so much!

Answer 15

Thank you too mathmate