A student factors 3x2 – 12 to the following. 3(x2 – 4)
Accepted Solution
A:
Answer:The expression is equivalent , but is not completely factoredStep-by-step explanation:A student factors 3x² – 12 to the following. 3(x² – 4) 3x² – 12 is equivalent to 3(x² – 4), because 3 was factored out;If we multiply by 3 by opening the brackets then we get the same expression 3x² – 12. However; 3(x² – 4), could be factored further;To get; 3(x + 2)(x - 2) ; since x² – 4 is a difference of two squares;Therefore;3x² – 12 = 3(x² – 4) = 3(x + 2)(x - 2)