Thread: Factoring

Factor 2x^3-98a^2x+28x^2+98x

QUESTION:

Would it make sense to divide EVERY coefficient in the polynomial by the leading coefficient of 2 to reduce the BIG numbers?

Is there an easier method?

Originally Posted by symmetry

Factor 2x^3-98a^2x+28x^2+98x

QUESTION:

Would it make sense to divide EVERY coefficient in the polynomial by the leading coefficient of 2 to reduce the BIG numbers?

Is there an easier method?

Yes, you can divide with 2, so you get:


I was just wondering, does belong in expression? Is that a typo maybe?

Hello, symmetry!

Factor: .

Would it make sense to divide EVERY coefficient in the polynomial
by the leading coefficient of 2 to reduce the BIG numbers?

Well, I wouldn't call it "dividing".

You can factor out a . . . it's a factoring problem, remember?

Thank you for your tips.

To OReilly:

The variable a belongs to the second term.

If it is a typo, I would not know.

So, what is the final answer?

Hello again, symmetry!

If the problem is correctly stated, it's a sneaky one . . .

Factor: .

Factor out of each term: .

We have: .

. . . . . . . . . . . a difference of squares!

. . . . . . . .

Soroban,

I guess the answer to OReilly's question is: Yes, the letter a is part of the question.

Thanks!