Question

What is the complete factorization of the polynomial shown?
5x^3– 20x^2 – 25X

Answer 1

5x(x^2-4x-5)
cross factor
(x-5)(x+1)

ans: 5x(x-5)(x+1)

Answer 2

5x(x + 1)(x - 5)

Explanation:

They all share a greatest common factor of 5x so we will factor that out first.

5x(x² - 4x - 5)

Then factor the rest.

5x(x² - 5x + x - 5)

5x(x(x - 5) + 1(x - 5))

5x(x + 1)(x - 5)