Question

Factor 3x squared -12x -36

Answer 1

Answer:

3x² - 12x - 36

= 3(x - 6)(x + 2)

Step-by-step explanation:

3x² - 12x - 36      Find any common factor. All terms are divisible by 3.

= 3(x² - 4x - 12)    Find two numbers that sum to -4 and whose product is -12. Replace -4 with these two numbers.

= 3(x² - 6x + 2x - 12)   Group the terms splitting from the middle

= 3( (x² - 6x) + (2x - 12) )   Find the common factor in each group.

= 3( x(x - 6) + 2(x - 6) )      The groups have a common factor (x - 6).

= 3( (x - 6)(x + 2) )           Remove the extra brackets

= 3(x - 6)(x + 2)             Fully factored