# Cubic Equation

• Oct 22nd 2008, 09:23 PM
Kaynight
Cubic Equation
I know cubic equations must have the form $Ax^3 + Bx^2 + Cx + D = 0,$ and I know how to solve that type of equation by doing long division etc:

However I got this cubic question,

$x^3-3x^2+4$

It doesn't have the same form as above and it's put me right off knowing what to do. I tried to simplify it $( x(x^2+3x) +4)$ but I got no where fast. So any starters of where I should start to factorize would be very helpful!
• Oct 22nd 2008, 10:30 PM
Laurent
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaynight
I know cubic equations must have the form $Ax^3 + Bx^2 + Cx + D = 0,$ and I know how to solve that type of equation by doing long division etc:

However I got this cubic question,

$x^3-3x^2+4$

It doesn't have the same form as above and it's put me right off knowing what to do. I tried to simplify it $( x(x^2+3x) +4)$ but I got no where fast. So any starters of where I should start to factorize would be very helpful!

It has the same form as above, with $C=0$.
You can notice that $-1$ is a solution, hence $x+1$ divides your polynomial. It remains to compute $Q(x)$ such that $x^3-3x^2+4=(x+1)Q(x)$.
• Oct 22nd 2008, 11:00 PM
Kaynight
Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurent
It has the same form as above, with $C=0$.
You can notice that $-1$ is a solution, hence $x+1$ divides your polynomial. It remains to compute $Q(x)$ such that $x^3-3x^2+4=(x+1)Q(x)$.

Many Thanks! :D