Chapter 1: Problem 95
Factor the expression completely. $$2 x^{3}+4 x^{2}+x+2$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expression factors to \((x + 2)(2x^2 + 1)\).
Step by step solution
01
Group Terms
The expression given is \(2x^3 + 4x^2 + x + 2\). First, we'll group the terms into two pairs: \((2x^3 + 4x^2)\) and \((x + 2)\). This strategic grouping will help us simplify the factorization process.
02
Factor Each Group
For the first group, \(2x^3 + 4x^2\), notice that \(2x^2\) is a common factor. Factoring it out gives us \(2x^2(x + 2)\). For the second group, \(x + 2\), there is no common factor other than 1, so it remains \(x + 2\). Now, the expression is \(2x^2(x + 2) + 1(x + 2)\).
03
Factor Out the Common Binomial Factor
Now, observe that \((x + 2)\) is a common binomial factor in both terms of the expression. Factor \((x + 2)\) out: \((x + 2)(2x^2 + 1)\).
04
Confirm and Simplify
We now have \((x + 2)(2x^2 + 1)\) as the complete factorization of the original expression. Double-check by expanding to ensure it results in the original expression. Expanding gives \(2x^3 + 4x^2 + x + 2\), confirming that the factorization is correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Grouping Terms
Grouping terms is a strategic part of polynomial factorization. It involves arranging the terms in a way that simplifies the process of finding common factors. In our exercise, the aim was to factor the expression \(2x^3 + 4x^2 + x + 2\). To start, we divided these terms into two pairs: \((2x^3 + 4x^2)\) and \((x + 2)\). This is the grouping step.
- Why do we group? To identify potential common factors that are not apparent when the expression is viewed as a whole.
- Group terms intelligently. Consider which terms have some similarity, like shared factors or structure.
Common Factor
Identifying a common factor in math expressions is crucial as it simplifies parts of the polynomial, making further factorization more straightforward. In our example, once we grouped \(2x^3 + 4x^2\), we identified \(2x^2\) as a common factor.
- What is a common factor? It’s a number or algebraic expression that evenly divides each term in a group.
- Why is it important? Pulling out a common factor reduces each term, highlighting structures we can further factor or simplify.
- If no common factor exists other than 1, as in \(x + 2\), consider next steps like other factorization strategies.
Binomial Factor
A binomial factor is an expression consisting of two terms, which can serve as a common factor for a polynomial. In our process of factoring \(2x^3 + 4x^2 + x + 2\), we noticed that after grouping and factoring out common factors, the remnants \((x + 2)\) appeared in both terms of our expression, making it a binomial factor to extract.
- What makes a factor binomial? It's when it acts as a shared factor between multiple terms or expressions.
- It's not always evident right away, especially if you haven't grouped or factored out other simpler factors first.
- By identifying \((x + 2)\) as a binomial factor, we managed to factor out our expression into \((x + 2)(2x^2 + 1)\).