Question

Factor the polynomial:3x^3-x^2-15x+5

Answer 1

(x^2-5)(3x-1)
Here's how I got this answer:
I found the GCF for each part of the polynomial.
3x^3 and -15x both contain 3x, and -x^2 and 5 share -1.
I then can divide the polynomial by 3x-1, and I get x^2-5
(Okay, that's not what I really did, but I can solve these on sight and don't remember the proper way to do it.)