Question

Factor the polynomial as a product of linear factors with complex coefficients.

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Answer:

The function

f(x) = x3 + 2x2 − x − 2

is a trinomial and it is expected that it has three factors corresponding to the three roots. The possible roots could 1, -1, 2, or -2. Trying out 1

f(1) = 1 + 2 - 1 - 2 = 0

According to the remainder theorem (x - 1) is a factor. By doing synthetic division

1 | 1 2 -1 -2

      1  3  2

    1  3 2  0

f(x) = (x - 1)(x2 + 3x + 2)

which can further be factored into

f(x) = (x -1)(x +1)(x + 2)

The three factors are

x-1

x+1

x+2

which are all linear expressions

Step-by-step explanation: