How do you factor the expression 14x^3 - 21x^2 - 2x + 3?

1 Answer
Dec 29, 2015

Factor by grouping then using the difference of squares identity to find:

14x^3-21x^2-2x+3

=(7x^2-1)(2x-3)

=(sqrt(7)x-1)(sqrt(7)x+1)(2x-3)

Explanation:

The difference of squares identity can be written:

a^2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)

Use this with a=sqrt(7)x and b=1 to find:

14x^3-21x^2-2x+3

=(14x^3-21x^2)-(2x-3)

=7x^2(2x-3)-1(2x-3)

=(7x^2-1)(2x-3)

=((sqrt(7)x)^2-1^2)(2x-3)

=(sqrt(7)x-1)(sqrt(7)x+1)(2x-3)