Question

How do you factor `2x^3+7x^2-17x-10`?

Answer 1

`f(x) = 2x^3 + 7x - 17x - 10`

First try x = 2 -> f(x) = 0, then one factor is (x - 2). Next, divide or guess.

`f(x) = (x - 2)(2x^2 + 11x +5)`

Check by developing:
`f(x) = 2x^3 + 11x^2 + 5x - 4x^2 - 22x - 10 = 2x^3 + 7x^2 - 17x - 10`.