factor polynomial w^3 -3w^2 - 18w

Question

please provide detailed steps of factoring

Answer 1

 The correct answer is w(w-6)(w+3).

Here is the work process:

w^3 -3w^2 - 18w

= w(w^2-3w-18), since w is the GCF of the three terms

= w(w-6)(w+3), since -6w+3w = -3w

Answer 2

So Debra the first thing you have to look at when asked to factor an equation is if there are any factors that you can pull out of the equation to reduce the equation to a factorable state.

 

you can pull out one w to reduce the equation and then factoring is easy

 

W(W^2  3W  18)

Then factor the remaining equation

 

W {(W + 6) (W - 3)}

 

so you have now factored w^2 to be w and w respectively then you need to figure out what factors of 18 can be added or subtracted to get the middle part of the equation. You want to get the 3 which positive 6 and -3 = 3 which is what you want.

 

I hope this helps Lisa tutor from Miami