Question

How do you factor `u^3-2u^2-8u+16`?

Answer 1

Refer to explanation

Explanation:

It is

`u^3-2u^2-8u+16=u^2(u-2)-8(u-2)=(u^2-8)(u-2)=(u-sqrt8)(u+sqrt8)(u-2)=(u-2sqrt2)(u+2sqrt2)(u-2)`

Answer 2

Try this:

Explanation:

You can collect `u^2` from the first and third term and `-8` from the second and fourth to get:
`u^2(u-2)-8(u-2)=`
Now collect `(u-2)` and get:
`=(u-2)(u^2-8)`