How do you factor by grouping #3n^2 - 8n + 4#? Algebra Polynomials and Factoring Factoring by Grouping 1 Answer George C. May 17, 2015 #3n^2-8n+4# #= 3n^2 - 2n - 6n + 4# #= (3n^2-2n) - (6n-4)# #= n(3n-2) - 2(3n-2)# #= (n-2)(3n-2)# The 'trick' was to split the original #-8n# term into two parts such that the resulting ratio of the first and second terms #3n^2# and #-2n# was the same as the ratio of the third and fourth terms #-6n# and #4#. Answer link Related questions What is Factoring by Grouping? How do you factor by grouping four-term polynomials and trinomials? Why does factoring polynomials by grouping work? How do you factor #2x+2y+ax+ay#? How do you factor #3x^2+8x+4# by using the grouping method? How do you factor #6x^2-9x+10x-15#? How do you group and factor #4jk-8j^2+5k-10j#? What are the factors of #2m^3+3m^2+4m+6#? How do you factor quadratics by using the grouping method? How do you factor #x^4-2x^3+5x-10#? See all questions in Factoring by Grouping Impact of this question 2754 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License