Equation Troubleshooting: 2r^3 + 6r^2 = 20r

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the equation 2r^3 + 6r^2 = 20r, which participants are attempting to solve. The subject area includes polynomial equations and factoring techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore factoring the equation and question the steps taken to arrive at various solutions. There are discussions about the greatest common factor and how it relates to the solutions. Some participants express confusion regarding the manipulation of terms and the validity of their conclusions.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different factoring methods and interpretations of the equation. Some participants have provided guidance on factoring and solving the equation, while others are still clarifying their understanding of the process. Multiple interpretations of the steps involved are being examined.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the need to revisit foundational concepts in factoring and polynomial equations. There are indications of misunderstandings regarding the application of the greatest common factor and the manipulation of terms in the equation.

ramstin
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O.k. I am stuck on this equation 2r^3 + 6r^2=20r
The answer to the equation is -5,0,2(according to my book I have not got it yet).

so far I got to 2(1r^2+5r)(r^2-2r) From here I keep getting different answers that make no sense.I can not figure out how to make the greatist common factor work into the answers. Any help?
 
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Excuse me?
Do you not see how to factor r2+ 5r and r2- 2r?

Hint: they both have the same factor which is especially easy to see knowing that r= 0 is a solution to the equation!
 
I get r^2+5r=0 r^2-2r=0
5r^3=0 -2r=0
5r^3/r^3=0 -2r/r=0
5=0 -2=0
5,2 is my final answer. I don't see what to do with my GCF of 2 or how 5 and -2 becomes -5 and 2 or how a zero ends up with the answer?
 
ramstin said:
I get r^2+5r=0 r^2-2r=0
5r^3=0 -2r=0
5r^3/r^3=0 -2r/r=0
5=0 -2=0
5,2 is my final answer. I don't see what to do with my GCF of 2 or how 5 and -2 becomes -5 and 2 or how a zero ends up with the answer?
Nooo, I don't really know what you mean...
Having a conclusion like 5 = 0, or -2 = 0, is like to say a monkey is a dog, or a cat is an elephant!
Okay, as far as I can tell, please open your textbook. Read it again (read the chapters that teach you how to factor, or solve a quadratic equation), and see if you can understand it. If you don't understand some parts, just post it here.
Be sure that you understand all concepts before solving a problem.
Now, it's time to do some reading... :)
 
All you have to do is factor out a r which gives you r=0.
Then what you are left with is [tex]2r^2+6r-20=0[/tex]
After that do quadratic equation.
 
Last edited:
ramstin said:
I get r^2+5r=0 r^2-2r=0
5r^3=0 -2r=0
5r^3/r^3=0 -2r/r=0
5=0 -2=0
5,2 is my final answer. I don't see what to do with my GCF of 2 or how 5 and -2 becomes -5 and 2 or how a zero ends up with the answer?

I have no idea what you are doing! How do you get from
r2+ 5r= 0 to 5r3= 0??

For that matter, although I didn't notice it before, how did you get from the original equation, 2r3 + 6r2=20r, which is the same as 2r3+ 6r2- 20r, to 2(r2+5r)(r2-2r)?? Surely you can see that, if you multiply them together, you will get r4 as leading term, not r3.

From 2r3+ 6r2- 20r you should immediately see that there is at least one "r" in each term and so you can factor as
2r(r2+ 3r- 10). Now you might note that 10= 2(5) and 5- 2= 3. That is, r2+ 3r- 10= (r+ 5)(r- 2).
That is, 2r3+ 5r2- 20r= 2r(r+5)(r-2)= 0.

If r2+ 5r= r(r+ 5)= 0 then either r= 0 or r+ 5= 0. In other words, r= 0 and r= -5 are solutions.

If r2- 2r= r(r- 2)= 0 then either r= 0 or r- 2= 0. In other words, r= 0 and r= 2 are solutions.
 
SolidFist said:
All you have to do is factor out a r which gives you r=0.
Then what you are left with is [tex]2r^2+6r-20=0[/tex]
After that do quadratic equation.

That is not necessary since once 2 is divide from the equation it may be factored.
 
O.k I went back over the problem. I then see how I forgot to take into account the r as part of my GCF.
If r2+ 5r= r(r+ 5)= 0 then either r= 0 or r+ 5= 0. In other words, r= 0 and r= -5 are solutions.

If r2- 2r= r(r- 2)= 0 then either r= 0 or r- 2= 0. In other words, r= 0 and r= 2 are solutions.



Just wondering how did you get from 2r in 2r(r+5)(r-2)= 0 to r2+ 5r= r(r+ 5)= 0? I thought 2r* r = 2r^3?
 
Last edited:
ramstin said:
Just wondering how did you get from 2r in 2r(r+5)(r-2)= 0 to r2+ 5r= r(r+ 5)= 0? I thought 2r* r = 2r^3?

rxr=r^2

(r+5)(r-2)=r²-2r+5r-10. multipling by 2r yields 2r^3-4r²+10r²-20r=2r^3+6r²-20r
or 2r(r+5)=2r²+10r. (2r²+10r)(r-2)=2r^3-4r²+10r²-20r=2r^3+6r²-20r

You can factor both an r and 2 from the equation which leaves you with r²+6r-10 which can further be factored into (r+5)(r-2) yielding the result of r=-5 r=2.
 
  • #10
ramstin said:
Just wondering how did you get from 2r in 2r(r+5)(r-2)= 0 to r2+ 5r= r(r+ 5)= 0? I thought 2r* r = 2r^3?
If you think 2r*r= 2r3 rather than 2r2 you need to review the meaning of powers.
 
  • #11
I see what I was doing wrong now. I forgot to multiply in the GCF and I had a ton of small errors. Thanks:approve:
 

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