Question

Help factoring polynomials?
WILL MEDAL AND FAN!!


2x^3 - 12x^2 + 18 - 3x

Answer 1

-15X?

Answer 2

But would you also add the 3 and 2 exponents?

Answer 3

not add the exponents multiply

Answer 4

@JuliaShepherd have you ever learned about? P.E.M.D.A.S.? use that method and you will get the answer

Answer 5

So 15x^6? Then what?

Answer 6

you can't combine `- 12x^2` with `- 3x`

they aren't like terms

Answer 7

I misread the problem @jim_thompson5910

Answer 8

2x^3 - 12x^2 + 18 - 3x

2x^3 - 12x^2 - 3x + 18 ... swap the last two terms

(2x^3 - 12x^2) + ( - 3x + 18) ... pair up the terms into 2 groups

Do you see what to do next?

Answer 9

So how do I do it?

Answer 10

alright @jim_thompson5910 's got this ill leave it to him/her

Answer 11

Why do you swap the terms?

Answer 12

because I'm putting the terms in order of decreasing exponent

Answer 13

2x^3 - 12x^2 - 3x + 18

is the same as

2x^3 - 12x^2 - 3x^1 + 18x^0

the exponents in order, from left to right, are: 3, 2, 1, 0

Answer 14

Okay. First you look for a GCF?

Answer 15

There isn't one....

Answer 16

what's the GCF of this first group `(2x^3 - 12x^2) ` ?

Answer 17

2x^2

Answer 18

so factor out 2x^2 to get

2x^3 - 12x^2 = 2x^2(________)

fill in the blank

Answer 19

x-6x

Answer 20

not quite

Answer 21

what is it?