Answer:
(x - 12)(x^2 - 2) or (x - 12)(x + sqrt(2) ) (x - sqrt(2))
Step-by-step explanation:
- It looks like grouping is the quickest way to do this.
- Put brackets around the 1st and second trems and around the 3rd and 4th terms.
- (x^3- 12x^2) - (2x -24) Pull out x^2 from the first 2 terms and 2 from the last 2.
- x^2(x - 12) - 2(x - 12) Now pull out x - 12 which is common on either side of the minus
- (x - 12)(x^2 - 2) You can leave this as it is, or you can factor x^2 - 2 into
- x^2 - 2: (x + sqrt(2) ) ( x - sqrt(2) )
- (x - 12)(x - sqrt(2) ) (x + sqrt(2) )
- Just to show you that these are possible factors, I've included a graph.
- The sqrt(2) = 1.4142
- The exact answer depends on your answer choices.
