Problem of the Week

Updated at Jul 11, 2022 2:15 PM

This week's problem comes from the algebra category.

How can we factor \(4{z}^{2}-8z-12\)?

Let's begin!



\[4{z}^{2}-8z-12\]

1
Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF).
GCF = \(4\)

2
Factor out the GCF. (Write the GCF first. Then, in parentheses, divide each term by the GCF.)
\[4(\frac{4{z}^{2}}{4}+\frac{-8z}{4}-\frac{12}{4})\]

3
Simplify each term in parentheses.
\[4({z}^{2}-2z-3)\]

4
Factor \({z}^{2}-2z-3\).
\[4(z-3)(z+1)\]

Done
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