Question

describe the steps you would use to factor 2x ^ 3 + 5x ^ 2 - 8x - 20 completely then State the factored form. this isn't multiple choice btw

Answer 1

2·x^3 + 5·x^2 - 8·x - 20 = 0

You see that the term will be 0 for x = 2

(2·x^3 + 5·x^2 - 8·x - 20) / (x - 2) = 2·x^2 + 9·x + 10 = 0

You can use the abc-formula to solve the quadratic equation.

x = -2.5 ∨ x = -2

So the factored form will be

2·x^3 + 5·x^2 - 8·x - 20 = 2·(x - 2)·(x + 2)·(x + 2.5)

Answer 2

2·x^3 + 5·x^2 - 8·x - 20 = 0

You see that the term will be 0 for x = 2

(2·x^3 + 5·x^2 - 8·x - 20) / (x - 2) = 2·x^2 + 9·x + 10 = 0

You can use the abc-formula to solve the quadratic equation.

x = -2.5 ∨ x = -2

So the factored form will be

2·x^3 + 5·x^2 - 8·x - 20 = 2·(x - 2)·(x + 2)·(x + 2.5)