Factorising

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Ok so I’ve done,

(x+6)^3 (1(x+6))(3x+4).

Is this right? If so what do I do next?

I don't know if you just mistyped but it should be

(x+6)^3[(x+6)+(3x+4)]

Notice how this is the same as

y^3(y+z)

But with

y=(x+6)

and

z=(3x+4)

so the same factorising has happened here.

You just need to add the two terms in the bracket and you're done.

Reply 21

NineOfDiamonds

Original post by Notnek

I don't know if you just mistyped but it should be

(x+6)^3[(x+6)+(3x+4)]

Notice how this is the same as

y^3(y+z)

But with

y=(x+6)

and

z=(3x+4)

so the same factorising has happened here.

You just need to add the two terms in the bracket and you're done.

No I did put the addition signs in but it just didn’t show for some reason. I thought I couldn’t add (x+6) to (3x+4) because they should be multiplied?

Reply 22

Notnek

Original post by NineOfDiamonds

No I did put the addition signs in but it just didn’t show for some reason. I thought I couldn’t add (x+6) to (3x+4) because they should be multiplied?

No if you look at

y^3(y+z)

there is a + sign between

y

and

z

inside the brackets so there must be a + sign between (x+6) and (3x+4).

The final step is to add together (x+6) and (3x+4).

Reply 23

NineOfDiamonds

Original post by Notnek

No if you look at

y^3(y+z)

there is a + sign between

y

and

z

inside the brackets so there must be a + sign between (x+6) and (3x+4).

The final step is to add together (x+6) and (3x+4).

What do I do about the 1 that is already inside the brackets? Do I add that as well?

Reply 24

Notnek

Original post by NineOfDiamonds

What do I do about the 1 that is already inside the brackets? Do I add that as well?

1 times by anything is itself so you can ignore the 1.

Reply 25

NineOfDiamonds

Original post by Notnek

1 times by anything is itself so you can ignore the 1.

So is my final answer:

(x+6)^3(4x+10)?

Reply 26

Notnek

Original post by NineOfDiamonds

So is my final answer:

(x+6)^3(4x+10)?

Yes that's right.

Don't worry if you found that hard - most students do the first time they tackle a question like this. After practicing a few like this I'm sure you'll be fine.

Reply 27

NineOfDiamonds

Original post by Notnek

Yes that's right.

Don't worry if you found that hard - most students do the first time they tackle a question like this. After practicing a few like this I'm sure you'll be fine.