x^3-5x^2+6x

1 answer

To factor the expression \( x^3 - 5x^2 + 6x \), we can start by factoring out the greatest common factor (GCF). In this case, the GCF is \( x \):

\[ x(x^2 - 5x + 6) \]

Next, we can factor the quadratic expression \( x^2 - 5x + 6 \). We need to find two numbers that multiply to \( 6 \) (the constant term) and add up to \( -5 \) (the coefficient of the linear term). The numbers \( -2 \) and \( -3 \) fit these criteria.

Thus, we can factor the quadratic as follows:

\[ x^2 - 5x + 6 = (x - 2)(x - 3) \]

Putting it all together, we have:

\[ x^3 - 5x^2 + 6x = x(x - 2)(x - 3) \]

So the factored form of the expression is:

\[ \boxed{x(x - 2)(x - 3)} \]