Question

Solve the equation by factoring

Please help:)

Answer 1

x = - 2, x = - 1 , x = 1

Explanation:

x³ + 2x² - x - 2 = 0 ( factor first/second and third/fourth terms )

x²(x + 2) - 1 (x + 2) = 0 ← factor out x + 2) from each term

(x + 2)(x² - 1) = 0 ← x² - 1 is a difference of squares and factors as (x + 1)(x - 1)

(x + 2)(x + 1)(x - 1) = 0

equate each factor to zero and solve for x

x + 2 = 0 ⇒ x = - 2

x + 1 = 0 ⇒ x = - 1

x - 1 = 0 ⇒ x = 1