How do you factor $x^3+3x^2-x-3=0$ ?

Question

1539 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2015-12-28T09:07:44

Alternatively, you can factor by grouping and using the difference of squares identity to find:

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

The difference of squares identity can be written:

$a^2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)$

Factor by grouping then using the difference of squares identity with $a=x$ and $b=1$ as follows:

$x^3+3x^2-x-3$

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

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

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

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

$=(x-1)(x+1)(x+3)$

How do you factor x^3+3x^2-x-3=0x^3+3x^2-x-3=0?