Check all of the possible first steps in factoring a polynomial with four terms.

1.factor out a GCF

2.factor the difference of cubes

3.factor a sum of cubes

4.factor a difference of squares

5.factor a perfect-square trinomial

6.factor by grouping

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Answer:

1. Factor out a GCF

6. Factor by grouping

Step-by-step explanation:

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A polynomial is represented as: [tex]y = ax^n + bx^{n - 1} + cx^{n -2} + ... + d[/tex]. The possible first steps are:

      1. Factor out a GCF  

      6. Factor by grouping

Let the polynomial of four terms be:

[tex]f(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 - cx + d[/tex]

There are only two possible case scenarios for any polynomial of the above form.

  1. Two terms have a common GCF. e.g. a and b, with a common GCF; -c and d, with a common GCF
  2. a, b, c and d; with a common factor. So, the polynomial can be grouped.

However, the given polynomial is not.

  • A difference of cubes ---- (2)
  • Sum of cubes ---- (3)
  • Difference of squares (4)
  • Perfect square trinomial (because it has 4 terms) ---- (5)

Hence, the only possible first steps are:

1. Factor out a GCF

6. Factor by grouping

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