Chapter 6: Problem 129
Factor completely. Assume that variables in exponents represent positive integers. $$ 3(x+1)^{2}+12(x+1)+12 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
3(x+3)^{2}
Step by step solution
01
- Identify the common factor
First, notice that a common factor of the expression is 3. Factor out the 3 from each term in the expression: 3[(x+1)^{2} + 4(x+1) + 4]
02
- Simplify the quadratic
Next, focus on the quadratic expression inside the brackets. It resembles a standard quadratic form: (x+1)^{2} + 4(x+1) + 4. Let y = (x+1), so the equation becomes: y^{2} + 4y + 4
03
- Factor the quadratic expression
Factor the quadratic equation: y^{2} + 4y + 4 can be written as (y+2)(y+2) or (y+2)^{2}
04
- Substitute back the original variable
Replace y with (x+1) in the factored form: (x+1+2)^{2}, which gives (x+3)^{2}
05
- Write the final factored form
Replace the simplified quadratic back into the original factor: 3[(x+1)^{2} + 4(x+1) + 4] becomes 3(x+3)^{2}
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Common Factor
A common factor is a number or term that divides each term in an algebraic expression without leaving a remainder.
In this case, the original expression is 3\((x+1)^{2} + 12(x+1) + 12\).
First, identify that 3 is a common factor across all terms.
By factoring out the 3, the expression simplifies to: \[ 3[(x+1)^{2} + 4(x+1) + 4] \].
This makes the rest of the operations much simpler to handle!
In this case, the original expression is 3\((x+1)^{2} + 12(x+1) + 12\).
First, identify that 3 is a common factor across all terms.
By factoring out the 3, the expression simplifies to: \[ 3[(x+1)^{2} + 4(x+1) + 4] \].
This makes the rest of the operations much simpler to handle!
Quadratic Expression
A quadratic expression is an algebraic expression of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c\), where a, b, and c are constants.
In our problem, the expression inside the brackets, \((x+1)^{2} + 4(x+1) + 4\), is a quadratic expression.
It follows the typical quadratic form once we set \(y = (x+1)\). Then, the expression becomes \(y^2 + 4y + 4\).
Recognizing this as a quadratic helps us understand the next steps for factoring.
In our problem, the expression inside the brackets, \((x+1)^{2} + 4(x+1) + 4\), is a quadratic expression.
It follows the typical quadratic form once we set \(y = (x+1)\). Then, the expression becomes \(y^2 + 4y + 4\).
Recognizing this as a quadratic helps us understand the next steps for factoring.
Factoring Quadratics
Factoring quadratics involves rewriting the quadratic expression as a product of simpler expressions.
For the expression \(y^2 + 4y + 4\), our goal is to express it in the form of \((y + p)(y + q)\).
Notice here that both factors are the same, leading to \((y + 2)(y + 2)\) or \((y + 2)^2\).
This is a neatly factored quadratic form that will help us in the substitution step.
For the expression \(y^2 + 4y + 4\), our goal is to express it in the form of \((y + p)(y + q)\).
Notice here that both factors are the same, leading to \((y + 2)(y + 2)\) or \((y + 2)^2\).
This is a neatly factored quadratic form that will help us in the substitution step.
Algebraic Substitution
Algebraic substitution is a method to simplify complex algebraic expressions by temporarily replacing a part of the expression with a single variable.
For our quadratic expression, we set \(y = (x+1)\) to simplify the factoring process.
Then after factoring, we have \((y + 2)^2\).
Once the factoring is complete, we substitute back \(y\) with the original expression \(x+1\), leading us to have \((x+1 + 2)^2\), which simplifies to \((x+3)^2\).
For our quadratic expression, we set \(y = (x+1)\) to simplify the factoring process.
Then after factoring, we have \((y + 2)^2\).
Once the factoring is complete, we substitute back \(y\) with the original expression \(x+1\), leading us to have \((x+1 + 2)^2\), which simplifies to \((x+3)^2\).
Factoring Completely
To factor completely means to break down an algebraic expression into its simplest building blocks.
After substitution and factoring, we have the simplified term \((x+3)^2\).
The complete factored form of the original expression is found by incorporating the common factor back in. This transforms \(3[(x+1)^{2} + 4(x+1) + 4]\) into \(3(x+3)^2\).
Thus, the entirely factored expression is: \[ 3(x+3)^2 \].
Ensuring each step is checked helps students understand the importance of each stage in the process.
After substitution and factoring, we have the simplified term \((x+3)^2\).
The complete factored form of the original expression is found by incorporating the common factor back in. This transforms \(3[(x+1)^{2} + 4(x+1) + 4]\) into \(3(x+3)^2\).
Thus, the entirely factored expression is: \[ 3(x+3)^2 \].
Ensuring each step is checked helps students understand the importance of each stage in the process.