Thread: Grouping polynomials to show a common factor

y^3 + y^2 - 3y - 3

I've just gotten transferred to this alien math class in my new school. I just need someone to help me factor this equation so I can get a feeling of what I should do.

So far I've gotten as far as: y(y^2+y-3)-3
I don't think I'm going the right direction, but if I am, what next? Please help ;_;

Originally Posted by PandaPanda

y^3 + y^2 - 3y - 3

I've just gotten transferred to this alien math class in my new school. I just need someone to help me factor this equation so I can get a feeling of what I should do.

So far I've gotten as far as: y(y^2+y-3)-3
I don't think I'm going the right direction, but if I am, what next? Please help ;_;

Thanks so much, that was very helpful.
I just need help with one more problem on making something a perfect square trinomial to factor a difference of squares.

a^4 + 4b^4

I don't know the first step.

Originally Posted by PandaPanda

Thanks so much, that was very helpful.
I just need help with one more problem on making something a perfect square trinomial to factor a difference of squares.

a^4 + 4b^4

I don't know the first step.

you don't have a difference of squares here. and should that 4 be in front of the b?

Originally Posted by PandaPanda

Thanks so much, that was very helpful.
I just need help with one more problem on making something a perfect square trinomial to factor a difference of squares.

a^4 + 4b^4

I don't know the first step.

Add and subtract,