Problem of the Week

Updated at Jan 20, 2014 11:05 AM

This week's problem comes from the algebra category.

How can we compute the factors of \(3{x}^{2}-3x-168\)?

Let's begin!



\[3{x}^{2}-3x-168\]

1
Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF).
GCF = \(3\)

2
Factor out the GCF. (Write the GCF first. Then, in parentheses, divide each term by the GCF.)
\[3(\frac{3{x}^{2}}{3}+\frac{-3x}{3}-\frac{168}{3})\]

3
Simplify each term in parentheses.
\[3({x}^{2}-x-56)\]

4
Factor \({x}^{2}-x-56\).
\[3(x-8)(x+7)\]

Done
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