Question

Factor completely 3x3 − 6x2 − 24x. 3x(x − 4)(x + 2) 3x(x + 4)(x − 2) 3x(x − 3)(x − 2) 3x(x + 3)(x − 2)

Answer 1

Answer:

3x(x - 4)(x + 2)

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

3x³ - 6x² - 24x ← factor out common factor of 3x from each term

= 3x(x² - 2x - 8) ← factor the quadratic

Consider the factors of the constant term (- 8) which sum to give the coefficient of the x- term.

The factors are - 4 and + 2, since

- 4 × 2 = - 8 and - 4 + 2 = - 2, thus

x² - 2x - 8 = (x - 4)(x + 2) and

3x³ - 6x² - 24x = 3x(x - 4)(x + 2)