How do you factor/cancel this equation?

Question

x^3 + 5x^2 + 2x - 8 / x-1

I get stuck because i cant factor the terms --> (x+5) (x -4) are NOT the same. What do i do? any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

x^3 + 5x^2 - 8 divided by x -1 is:

x^2 + 6x + 8

or...
(x + 2) (x + 4)

don't listen to byh. sorry I can't show you HOW to do the problem. I just couldn't figure out how to in type.

Answer 2

Uh... the factors of your numerator are (x-1), (x+2), and (x+4), not (x+5) and (x-4). The product of (x+5) and (x-4) is x²+x-20. My guess is, that when you tried to factor, you mistakenly thought that (x³ + 5x²) and (2x-8) were seperate expressions, and tried to factor them individually. That doesn't work, as you noticed. The best way to solve your problem would be to employ synthetic division to test various factors, starting with x-1, and then factor the quotient (which, after dividing by x-1, would be x²+6x+8).

Answer 3

If you set it up like a long division problem

x - 1 / x^3 + 5x^2 + 2x - 8

you will end up with x^2 + 6x + 8, with no remainder.

(sorry, couldn't type in the long division sign to show you more)

Answer 4

x^4+4x^3-3x^2-2x-8... that's the answer to the equation.. it's not factorable because it's a polynomial..

Answer 5

dividing out the denominator leaves x^2 + 6x +8

that factors to (x+4) x (x+2)

Answer 6

try to solve using matrix
1 5 2 8


this is the answer
{(x-1)(x+2)(x+4)}/(x-1)

Answer 7

you divide your equation with x-1. That will leave you with a quadradic equation. Then you can factor it.

Answer 8

check ur equation again.