Question

Factor completely x^(3)-2x^(2)-24x

Answer 1

x(x - 6)(x + 4)

Explanation:

x³ - 2x² - 24x ← factor out x from each term

= x(x² - 2x - 24) ← factor the quadratic

consider the factors of the constant term (- 24) which sum to give the coefficient of the x- term (- 2)

the factors are - 6 and + 4 , then

x² - 2x - 24 = (x - 6)(x + 4)

then

x³ - 2x² - 24x = x(x - 6)(x + 4)