# Thread: factoring polynomials

1. ## factoring polynomials

Im looking to for the steps to solve this: 3(x^2 -2)² (2x-3)^2

apparent answer: 12x^6 - 36x^5 - 21x^4 +144x^3 - 60x^2 - 144x + 108

2. Is this expression equal to anything?

$\displaystyle 3(x^2-2)^2(2x-3)^2= 0$

Or maybe something like this?

$\displaystyle 3(x^2-2)^2+(2x-3)^2= 0$

3. No, there is no = 0

4. So you are looking to expand this? The word solve implies there is an equals sign somewhere in the problem.

$\displaystyle 3(x^2-2)^2(2x-3)^2$

This is the same as

$\displaystyle 3(x^2-2)(x^2-2)(2x-3)(2x-3)$

Now use the distributive law in pairs $\displaystyle (a+b)(c+d) = ac+ad+bc+bd$

5. If it's not equal to anything, then there is nothing to solve. Perhaps you are being asked to expand the expression. In this case you just need to do some multiplication using the distributive property several times.

To start you off, $(2x-3)^2=(2x-3)(2x-3)=4x^2-6x-6x+9=4x^2-12x+9$.

6. for the 3(x^2 - 2)^2 = 3(x^2 - 2) (x^2 - 2) would be 3(x^4 - 4x^2 - 4) then distributed would be 3x^4 -12^2 - 12 but if I collect like terms, I do NOT come up with the correct answer. I must not be applying a correct rule.

7. Originally Posted by reallylongnickname
for the 3(x^2 - 2)^2 = 3(x^2 - 2) (x^2 - 2) would be 3(x^4 - 4x^2 - 4) then distributed would be 3x^4 -12^2 - 12 but if I collect like terms, I do NOT come up with the correct answer. I must not be applying a correct rule.
Leave the 3 out for now. It just makes the coefficients ugly. Okay, so you've got $(x^2 - 2)^2 = x^4 - 4x^2 + 4$ and $(2x - 3)^2 = 4x^2 - 12x + 9$. Now you need to do

$(x^2 - 2)^2(2x - 3)^2 = (x^4 - 4x^2 + 4)(4x^2 - 12x + 9)$.

-Dan

8. Ahhh I see. The 3 is the last thing to multiply out. Thx topsquark, Dr Steve, and pickslides. I need to stay closer to rules and laws and maybe technique.

9. ## New Q. Simplify rational expressions

Ok here is a new Q. (Simplify rational expressions)
(5x^3 -3x +4) + (x^3 -5x^2 -9) I know to first work out each side seperately.

10. Originally Posted by reallylongnickname
Ok here is a new Q. (Simplify rational expressions)
(5x^3 -3x +4) + (x^3 -5x^2 -9) I know to first work out each side seperately.
please start a new problem with a new thread.

11. Originally Posted by reallylongnickname
Ok here is a new Q. (Simplify rational expressions)
(5x^3 -3x +4) + (x^3 -5x^2 -9) I know to first work out each side seperately.
Please put new questions in new threads.

In this case there is nothing to do but to collect like terms.

-Dan