How do you factor the expression 2x³ -x² - 4x + 3?

1 Answer
Mar 17, 2016

2x^3-x^2-4x+3 = (x-1)(x-1)(2x+3)

Explanation:

First notice that the sum of the coefficients is zero.

That is: 2-1-4+3 = 0

So x=1 is a zero and (x-1) a factor:

2x^3-x^2-4x+3 = (x-1)(2x^2+x-3)

Next notice that the sum of the coefficients of the remaining quadratic factor is also zero.

That is: 2+1-3 = 0

So x=1 is a zero and (x-1) a factor:

2x^2+x-3 = (x-1)(2x+3)