Question

Write the polynomial in factored form. Show all the steps that you use to solve this problem.

x^3 - 3x^2 - 10x

Answer 1

x( x - 5)( x + 2)

Explanation:

The polynomial is x^3 - 3x^2 -10x. Since each term has at least one x, we can factor out an x.

This gives us x( x^2 - 3x - 10).

Now, we may factor the second degree polynomial.

_ × _ = -10? (or a × c, where ax^2 + bx + c?)

_ + _ = -3? (or b?)

Well, -5 times 2 equals 10, and -5 plus 2 equals -3.

We use these values to factor further.

So, our final answer becomes x( x - 5 )( x + 2 ).

You can check this by simply multiplying and distributing the terms!

I hope this helped! :)