Is it possible to factor 2w-1-w^3? If so, how?

Answer 1

yes

let f(w) = -w^3 + 2w - 1
= -(w^3 - 2w + 1)

f(1) = -(1-2+1) = 0
so w-1 is a factor

using synthetic division I go

-(w^3 - 2w + 1)
= -(w-1)(w^2+w-1)