I'm a bit confused. I do not know which answer it is.
Factor: 8x^5+4x^2-12

I'm stuck between choice A: 4(2x^5+x^2-3)
And choice C: 4x^2(2x^3+1-3)

Question

I'm a bit confused. I do not know which answer it is.
Factor:  8x^5+4x^2-12

I'm stuck between choice A: 4(2x^5+x^2-3)
And choice C: 4x^2(2x^3+1-3)

nolangold · Answer

hi

anonymous · Answer

Are you here to chat or to help?
I need the help.

nolangold · Answer

im gonna help. duh. lol

nolangold · Answer

i took this test

nolangold · Answer

i will go back and give the answer

mathmale · Answer

nolangold:  No, do not go back, fetch the answer and share it.  This is NOT the purpose of Open Study.  Instead, help Britt find his or her own solution.

Repeat:  NO direct answers!

nolangold · Answer

Hi. im gonna explain why

mathmale · Answer

It'd be better if you guide Britt towards finding her own answer.   Sounds as though he/she has already done some work and only needs a bit of help.

Find out what kind of help Britt needs, please.

nolangold · Answer

Okay im gonna i just need to know the answer

anonymous · Answer

I am just confused on which answer it is. When distributed they are the same. At least i think they are. If i have made a miscalculation, i would like to know what it is.

anonymous · Answer

we can't take x^any number common factor in such a situation because x is not available in number 12

mathmale · Answer

Given 8x^5 + 4x^2 - 12, one of the first things I'd do would be to divide every term by 4.  This simplifies the problem a little bit.

anonymous · Answer

I have already done this, thank you though for making sure.

mathmale · Answer

So, what are you looking for now, from us?

mathmale · Answer

How did you decide between A and C?

anonymous · Answer

If i have done something wrong, When distributed, I think they are the same answer. A and C

anonymous · Answer

okay, when distributing for letter C, do i add the two exponents? 2 and 3?

mathmale · Answer

C could not be correct, since x^2 is not a factor of -12 (as K_M_K has pointed out).

mathmale · Answer

Your expression has 3 terms.  4 is a common factor, so you can take that out.

What do you have left?

anonymous · Answer

Okay, So i was correct at first. Double guessing myself..

mathmale · Answer

Why not?
4 is a factor of the given expression.

mathmale · Answer

I am using synthetic division to check possible roots of this expression, and have found that x=1 is a root.  Have you reached this point yet?

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1458958227524:dw|    Have i done something wrong? 
Because i think i have and i don't know what. This is my Point Of Confusion.