How do you factor the expression #2x³ -x² - 4x + 3#?

1 Answer
Mar 17, 2016

#2x^3-x^2-4x+3 = (x-1)(x-1)(2x+3)#

Explanation:

First notice that the sum of the coefficients is zero.

That is: #2-1-4+3 = 0#

So #x=1# is a zero and #(x-1)# a factor:

#2x^3-x^2-4x+3 = (x-1)(2x^2+x-3)#

Next notice that the sum of the coefficients of the remaining quadratic factor is also zero.

That is: #2+1-3 = 0#

So #x=1# is a zero and #(x-1)# a factor:

#2x^2+x-3 = (x-1)(2x+3)#