Question

`4a ^(2) - 12a - 16`I need help factoring

Answer 1

4(a-4)(a+1)

1) Factorizing 4a²-12a -16

4a²-12a -16 Note that the GCD (4,12,16) is 4, Rewrite them

4a²- 4*3a - 4* 4

2) 4(a² -3a -4) Rewrite a² -3a -4 answering the question, What are the numbers whose sum is 3 and product is 4?

Answer:

1 -4 = -3

1 x -4 = -4

3) Hence, the answer is:

4a²-12a -16= 4(a-4)(a+1)