Asked by kasdfa

Describe the steps you would use to factor
2x3 + 5x2 – 8x – 20 completely. Then state the factored form.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
1. Group terms: (2x^3 + 5x^2) + (−8x − 20).
2. Factor common factors from each group: x^2(2x + 5) − 4(2x + 5).
3. Factor out the common binomial: (2x + 5)(x^2 − 4).
4. Factor the difference of squares: x^2 − 4 = (x − 2)(x + 2).

Factored form: (x − 2)(x + 2)(2x + 5).