Question

How do you factor `6x-x^3-x^2`?

Answer 1

`6x-x^3-x^2 = -x(x+3)(x-2)`

Explanation:

Separate out a common factor `-x` and rearrange in descending order of powers of `x`. Then find a pair of numbers with product `6` and difference `1`. The pair `3`, `2` works, so we find:

`6x-x^3-x^2 = -x(x^2+x-6) = -x(x+3)(x-2)`