I have a trouble factoring polynomial

[spacewater]

I cant seem to figure out how to factor expressions that has more than 3 terms.
x^3- 2x^2 + x - 2
Can someone teach me where to start this problem?

 

[soroban]

Hello, spacewater!

Factor: .$\displaystyle x^3- 2x^2 + x - 2$

$\displaystyle \text{If a polynomial has four or more terms, try factoring "by grouping."}$


$\displaystyle \text{Factor the terms "in pairs": }\;x^2\underbrace{(x-2)} + 1\underbrace{(x-2)}$
. . $\displaystyle \text{Note the common factor: }\qquad\;\: \uparrow\qquad\qquad\uparrow$

$\displaystyle \text{Factor it out: }\;(x-2)(x^2 + 1)$

 

[pka]

I cant seem to figure out how to factor expressions that has more than 3 terms. x^3- 2x^2 + x - 2

Spacewater, this is to only one of your qoestions that I can read.
$\displaystyle x^3- 2x^2 + x - 2=x^2(x-2)+(x-2)=(x-2)(x^2+1)$.

If you expect to receive help at these sites you must learn to write mathematics on the web. I frankly will not bother with someone’s question if that person will not take the time to learn how to properly write the question.