Homework Help: Algebra

Posted by Erin on Monday, November 9, 2009 at 9:15pm.

I'm not sure how to factor 3x^3-12x^2+3x. I tried separatring the 3x so that 3x(x+1)(x-4, but I got -3x^3+-12x^2-3x^2+12x. Can you show me where I went wrong and how to properly factor this? Is there a general rule or tip for this sort of factoring with a number to the third power? Thanks!!

Algebra - Reiny, Monday, November 9, 2009 at 9:27pm
there is a common factor of 3x
so,
3x^3-12x^2+3x
= 3x(x^2 - 4x + 1)

The last part does not factor any more, so that's it.

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