Propagandhi said:So long story short, I have a friend who wants me to help her learn how to factor cubic polynomials. Normally I would just fess up and say I don't remember but it's something I'd like to review myself and lessons online aren't the clearest.
Here's one of the questions:
2x3+3x2-8x+3
I need a quick 101. Any help would be much appreciated!
A cubic polynomial is a polynomial function that has a degree of 3, meaning it contains terms with exponents of 3, 2, and 1. It can be written in the form ax³ + bx² + cx + d, where a, b, c, and d are constants.
Factoring a polynomial means to rewrite it as a product of simpler polynomials or monomials. This is done by finding common factors and using the distributive property to simplify the expression.
To factor a cubic polynomial, you can use various techniques such as grouping, the difference of cubes formula, or the rational root theorem. It involves finding the common factors and then using algebraic methods to simplify the expression into a product of simpler polynomials.
Factoring allows us to simplify complicated polynomial expressions, making them easier to understand and work with. It is also a useful tool in solving equations and determining the roots or solutions of polynomial functions.
Some tips for factoring cubic polynomials include looking for common factors, applying the difference of cubes formula, and trying different methods such as grouping or the rational root theorem. It is also helpful to practice and familiarize yourself with different types of cubic polynomials to develop a better understanding of how to factor them.