Question

A student factors 3x2 – 12 to the following. 3(x2 – 4). Which statement about 3(x2 – 4) is true? A) The expression is equivalent, and it is completely factored. B) The expression is equivalent, but it is not completely factored. C) The expression is not equivalent, but it is completely factored. D) The expression is not equivalent, and it is not completely factored.

Answer 1

The statement that is true about 3(x^2 - 4) is : B. the expression is equivalent , but is not completely factored

to be completely factored it must be written like this :

3x^2 - 12 = 0
3x^2 = 12
x^2 = 4
x =2

hope this helps

Answer 2

Answer : B) The expression is equivalent, but it is not completely factored.

A student factors
`3x^2 - 12` to the following
`3(x^2 - 4)`.

`3x^2 - 12` is equivalent to
`3(x^2 - 4)` because we factored out 3.

If we multiply 3 inside the parenthesis then we will get same expression
`3x^2 - 12`

`3(x^2 - 4)` can be factored further.

`x^2 - 4 = (x+2)(x-2)`

So
`3x^2 - 12` is not completely factored.