How do you factor by grouping #x^3 - 8x^2 - 7x + 56#?

1 Answer
Jun 28, 2018

#(x^2-7)(x-8)#

Explanation:

We have the following:

#color(lime)(x^3-8x^2)color(purple)(-7x+56)#

We can factor an #x^2# out of the green terms, and a #-7# out of the purple terms. Doing this, we get

#color(lime)(x^2)color(blue)((x-8))color(purple)(-7)color(blue)((x-8))#

Both terms have a #x-8# in common, so we can factor that out to get

#(x^2-7)(x-8)#

Hope this helps!