Question

Factor completely:
−2x^3−6x^2+140x

("^" is followed by an exponent)

Answer 1

Use the greatest common factor of the 3 terms, which are?

Answer 2

1,3

Answer 3

-2x..?

Answer 4

−2x^3−6x^2+140x

how can 1, 3 go into that?

Answer 5

Factor out the greatest term first

which is -2x

Answer 6

Well, I have no idea what I am doing, obviously.

Answer 7

so now you can look at this as
-2x(x^2 +3x -70)

Answer 8

or

-2x(x-7)(x+10)

once you factor the trinomial

Answer 9

what two numbers subtract get 3 but multiplied to get 70
that would be 10 and 7

Answer 10

Carlee do you understand how to factor? I would rather make sure you understand that important concept versus providing you answer...just let me know

Answer 11

well ^ there's the explanation

Answer 12

to factor any polynomial, you just have to get a gcf.

in this case, -2x

Answer 13

Yeah, to factor is to find two numbers that, when multiplied, give you the number you are looking for; factors of 12: 1,12...2, 6... 3, 4 ect. I just don't know the steps to solve this problem.

Answer 14

−2x^3−6x^2+140x

exactly so it goes the same for this concept

-2x goes into -2x^3
-2x goes into -6x^2
-2x goes into 140x

Answer 15

When you a problem like this and you can see a COMMON term in all of them pull it out first...then you can factor it like normal. Good luck studying

Answer 16

Thank you both.