Question

question
factor completely.
$x^3 - 4x^2 - x + 4$
answer attempt 1 out of 10

Explanation:

Step1: Group the terms

Group the first two terms and the last two terms: $(x^{3}-4x^{2})+(-x + 4)$

Step2: Factor out the GCF from each group

Factor out $x^{2}$ from the first group and -1 from the second group: $x^{2}(x - 4)-1(x - 4)$

Step3: Factor out the common binomial factor

Factor out $(x - 4)$: $(x - 4)(x^{2}-1)$

Step4: Factor the difference of squares

Factor $x^{2}-1$ as a difference of squares: $(x - 4)(x - 1)(x + 1)$

Answer:

$(x - 4)(x - 1)(x + 1)$