Question

The factors of x^3 -4x^2 -x+4 are?

How do I solve this?

Answer 1

use grouping

x^2(x-4) -1(x-4)
= ....

take it from there.

Answer 2

I do not understand how you grouped the numbers?

Answer 3

expand my answer,
will you not get the original?

so, can I not reverse the process?

btw, my next step would be

(x-4)(x^2 - 4)
= (x-4)(x+1)(x-1)

Answer 4

x^3 -4x^2 -x + 4.
The expression has 4 terms. Therefore,
we can form 2 groups with 2 factorable terms in each group:

(x^3 - x) + (-4x^2 + 4),
Factor each pair:
x(x^2 - 1) -4(x^2 - 1),
Factor out (x^2 - 1):
(x^2 - 1)(x - 4),
(x + 1)(x - 1)(x - 4).

NOTE: (X^2 - 1) = (x + 1)(x - 1)