factor question

[lotrnerd]

Could someone help me with the following question?

a^3 + a^2 - a - 1

I can't seem so get to the answer. Id love to know how you arrive to the answer too.

Thanks

 

[lookagain]

Could someone help me with the following question?

a^3 + a^2 - a - 1

I can't seem so get to the answer. Id love to know how you arrive to the answer too.

Thanks

Factor by grouping in pairs. You will factor out the greatest common factor of (a^3 + a^2).

lotrnerd,

what is that GCF?




Also, you may want to look at the following thread for some guidance. It has a similar expression to be factored.

http://www.freemathhelp.com/forum/threads/79194-A-Bit-O-Trouble-Here

 

[HallsofIvy]

You should be able to immediately see that -a-1= -(a+ 1). Now, in order for this method to be useful, you should also be able to factor a+ 1 out of \(\displaystyle a^3+ a^2[/itex]. Can you ?\)