factoring question

[Sparky_]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
factor

x^3 + x +2 = 0




2. Relevant equations

I know the answer is

(x-2)(x+1)^2



3. The attempt at a solution

My question is when factoring problems like this - what should I look for or what should I group or seperate to make the factoring easier?

Are some problems like this simply trial and error or with some tips and tricks (from experience) do they become faster?

Thanks
Sparky_

[Bohrok]

Usually you go for the rational root theorem (http://www.purplemath.com/modules/rtnlroot.htm) first. Sometimes you can play around with it and try to factor by grouping. I got the answer by first writing x3 + x + 2 as x3 - x + 2x + 2 and then factor them by grouping.

[Mentallic]

Since you know that it can be factored into (x-2)(x+1)^2 then you know that if you plug x=2 or x=-1 into the polynomial, you will get zero. The idea of the rational root test allows you to find all possible rational roots by plugging in certain values and seeing if that value will return 0.

So if you plugged in x=2, you will get 23+2+2=12 so I can tell you know that it can't be factored into what you gave me. Plugging in x=-1 gives (-1)3-1+2=0 so we can take out a factor (x+1).

Now to find out what is left, you can use polynomial division or equate coefficients of each side by expanding the left side:

(x+1)(x^2+ax+2)=x^3+x+2

Do you see how this works and how to solve for a?