Question

question
factor completely.

$3x^2 - 4x + 1$

answer
attempt 1 out of 2

Explanation:

Step1: Split the middle term

Find two numbers that multiply to $3\times1=3$ and add to $-4$. The numbers are $-1$ and $-3$. Rewrite the middle term:
$3x^2 - 3x - x + 1$

Step2: Group and factor pairs

Group the first two and last two terms, then factor out GCFs:
$3x(x - 1) -1(x - 1)$

Step3: Factor out common binomial

Extract the shared binomial factor $(x-1)$:
$(3x - 1)(x - 1)$

Answer:

$(3x - 1)(x - 1)$