How do you factor #6a^3+ 8a^2+ 2a#?

1 Answer
May 25, 2018

#2a(a+1)(3a+1)#

Explanation:

#"take out a "color(blue)"common factor "2a#

#=2a(3a^2+4a+1)#

#"factor the quadratic using the a-c method"#

#"the factors of the product "3xx1=3#

#"which sum to + 4 are + 3 and + 1"#

#"split the middle term using these factors"#

#3a^2+3a+a+1larrcolor(blue)"factor by grouping"#

#=color(red)(3a)(a+1)color(red)(+1)(a+1)#

#"take out the "color(blue)"common factor "(a+1)#

#=(a+1)(color(red)(3a+1))#

#6a^3+8a^2+2a=2a(a+1)(3a+1)#