Look for a difference of squares

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 71 views

Introduction

Factoring a cubic polynomial is an essential skill in algebra, and it can be a bit challenging, but with the right approach, you can master it. In this article, we will guide you through the process of factoring a cubic polynomial, using the given expression $$x^3-x2-6x$$ as an example.

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive into the factoring process, let's review the basics of factoring. Factoring is the process of expressing a polynomial as a product of simpler polynomials, called factors. The factors can be linear or quadratic expressions, and they can be combined in various ways to form the original polynomial.

The Factoring Process

To factor a cubic polynomial, we need to find three factors that multiply together to give the original polynomial. The factoring process involves several steps:

Look for a greatest common factor (GCF): The first step is to look for a GCF of the terms in the polynomial. In this case, the GCF is x.
Factor out the GCF: Once we have identified the GCF, we can factor it out of each term in the polynomial.
Look for a difference of squares: After factoring out the GCF, we need to look for a difference of squares pattern in the remaining terms.
Factor the difference of squares: If we find a difference of squares pattern, we can factor it using the formula (a-b)(a+b) = a^2 - b^2.
Combine the factors: Finally, we can combine the factors we have found to form the factored form of the polynomial.

Factoring the Given Expression

Now that we have reviewed the basics of factoring, let's apply the process to the given expression $$x^3-x2-6x$$.

Step 1: Look for a GCF

The first step is to look for a GCF of the terms in the polynomial. In this case, the GCF is x.

Step 2: Factor out the GCF

Once we have identified the GCF, we can factor it out of each term in the polynomial.

import sympy as sp
x = sp.symbols('x')
poly = x3 - x2 - 6*x
gcf = x
factored_poly = sp.factor(poly / gcf)
print(factored_poly)

This code will output the factored form of the polynomial after factoring out the GCF.

Step 3: Look for a difference of squares

After factoring out the GCF, we need to look for a difference of squares pattern in the remaining terms.

Step 4: Factor the difference of squares

If we find a difference of squares pattern, we can factor it using the formula (a-b)(a+b) = a^2 - b^2.

Step 5: Combine the factors

Finally, we can combine the factors we have found to form the factored form of the polynomial.

The Factored Form

After applying the factoring process, we get the factored form of the polynomial as:

x(x-1)(x+6)

Conclusion

In this article, we have guided you through the process of factoring a cubic polynomial, using the given expression $$x^3-x2-6x$$ as an example. We have reviewed the basics of factoring, applied the factoring process, and obtained the factored form of the polynomial. We hope this article has been helpful in understanding the concept of factoring a cubic polynomial.

Answer

The correct answer is:

Introduction

In our previous article, we guided you through the process of factoring a cubic polynomial, using the given expression $$x^3-x2-6x$$ as an example. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about factoring a cubic polynomial.

Q&A

Q: What is the first step in factoring a cubic polynomial?

A: The first step in factoring a cubic polynomial is to look for a greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms in the polynomial.

Q: How do I factor out the GCF?

A: To factor out the GCF, you need to divide each term in the polynomial by the GCF. You can use the distributive property to factor out the GCF.

Q: What is a difference of squares?

A: A difference of squares is a pattern in a polynomial where the terms are in the form of (a-b)(a+b) = a^2 - b^2.

Q: How do I factor a difference of squares?

A: To factor a difference of squares, you can use the formula (a-b)(a+b) = a^2 - b^2.

Q: What if I don't see a difference of squares pattern?

A: If you don't see a difference of squares pattern, you can try to factor the polynomial using other methods, such as grouping or synthetic division.

Q: Can I use a calculator to factor a cubic polynomial?

A: Yes, you can use a calculator to factor a cubic polynomial. However, it's always a good idea to check your work by factoring the polynomial by hand.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when factoring a cubic polynomial?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when factoring a cubic polynomial include:

Not factoring out the GCF
Not recognizing a difference of squares pattern
Not using the correct formula for factoring a difference of squares
Not checking your work

Q: How do I know if I have factored a cubic polynomial correctly?

A: To check if you have factored a cubic polynomial correctly, you can multiply the factors together and see if you get the original polynomial.

Example Questions

Example 1: Factor the polynomial $$x^3+2x2-5x$$

A: To factor the polynomial $$x^3+2x2-5x$$, we need to look for a GCF. The GCF is x. We can factor out the GCF by dividing each term in the polynomial by x.

import sympy as sp
x = sp.symbols('x')
poly = x3 + 2*x2 - 5*x
gcf = x
factored_poly = sp.factor(poly / gcf)
print(factored_poly)

This code will output the factored form of the polynomial after factoring out the GCF.

Example 2: Factor the polynomial $$x^3-3x2-4x$$

A: To factor the polynomial $$x^3-3x2-4x$$, we need to look for a GCF. The GCF is x. We can factor out the GCF by dividing each term in the polynomial by x.

import sympy as sp
x = sp.symbols('x')
poly = x3 - 3*x2 - 4*x
gcf = x
factored_poly = sp.factor(poly / gcf)
print(factored_poly)

This code will output the factored form of the polynomial after factoring out the GCF.

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions about factoring a cubic polynomial. We have also provided example questions to help you practice factoring a cubic polynomial. We hope this article has been helpful in understanding the concept of factoring a cubic polynomial.

Answer Key

Example 1:

The factored form of the polynomial $$x^3+2x2-5x$$ is:

x(x+5)(x-1)

Example 2:

The factored form of the polynomial $$x^3-3x2-4x$$ is:

x(x-4)(x+1)