In Exercises 45–68, factor by grouping.x³ − 12 − 3x² + 4x
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Step 1: Rearrange the terms in the expression to group them in pairs: \(x^3 - 3x^2 + 4x - 12\).
Step 2: Factor out the greatest common factor from each pair. For the first pair \(x^3 - 3x^2\), factor out \(x^2\), resulting in \(x^2(x - 3)\). For the second pair \(4x - 12\), factor out \(4\), resulting in \(4(x - 3)\).
Step 3: Notice that both terms now contain a common binomial factor \((x - 3)\).
Step 4: Factor out the common binomial \((x - 3)\) from the expression, resulting in \((x - 3)(x^2 + 4)\).
Step 5: Verify the factorization by expanding \((x - 3)(x^2 + 4)\) to ensure it equals the original expression \(x^3 - 3x^2 + 4x - 12\).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Factoring by Grouping
Factoring by grouping is a method used to factor polynomials with four or more terms. This technique involves rearranging the terms into two groups, factoring out the common factors from each group, and then factoring out the common binomial factor. It is particularly useful when the polynomial does not have a straightforward factorization.
A polynomial is an algebraic expression that consists of variables raised to non-negative integer powers and coefficients. In the given expression, the terms are x³, -3x², 4x, and -12. Understanding how to identify and manipulate these terms is crucial for effective factoring and simplification.
Common factors are numbers or expressions that divide two or more terms without leaving a remainder. In the context of factoring by grouping, identifying the common factors in each group of terms allows for the extraction of these factors, simplifying the polynomial into a product of simpler expressions. Recognizing these factors is essential for successful factorization.