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#1 2014-01-06 04:09:35
- bronxsystem
- Member
- Registered: 2013-06-22
- Posts: 63
basic factoring problem confused
Hey all im confused with this problem i can get the answer, however i do something that seems wrong.
Factor
12t^3 p - 3tp - 9t^2 p
= 3tp (4t^2 - 1 - 3t)
= 3tp (4t^2 - 3t - 1) this step, sorry for sounding silly but am i allowed to just swap it around like this? is it allowed because im multiplying by 3tp?
= 3tp (4t - 1) (t + 1)
been up for while my brain fried but feels wrong switching it around 
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#2 2014-01-06 04:18:40
- bobbym
- bumpkin
- From: Bumpkinland
- Registered: 2009-04-12
- Posts: 109,606
Re: basic factoring problem confused
Hi bronxsystem;
Welcome to the forum. it is okay to switch them around as you have done in this case. But have you checked your factorization bu multiplying your answer out? If you do that you will see that you have made an error in factoring.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.
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#3 2014-01-06 04:19:07
- atran
- Member
- Registered: 2013-07-12
- Posts: 91
Re: basic factoring problem confused
Last edited by atran (2014-01-06 04:21:15)
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#4 2014-01-06 06:00:03
- bronxsystem
- Member
- Registered: 2013-06-22
- Posts: 63
Re: basic factoring problem confused
oops its
3tp (4t + 1)(t - 1 )
i think S:
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#5 2014-01-06 06:29:40
- bobbym
- bumpkin
- From: Bumpkinland
- Registered: 2009-04-12
- Posts: 109,606
Re: basic factoring problem confused
Hi;
That matches the answer atran and I are getting.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.
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#6 2014-01-06 06:32:03
- bronxsystem
- Member
- Registered: 2013-06-22
- Posts: 63
Re: basic factoring problem confused
awesome thanks
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#7 2014-01-06 06:44:46
- bobbym
- bumpkin
- From: Bumpkinland
- Registered: 2009-04-12
- Posts: 109,606
Re: basic factoring problem confused
Hi;
Remember to check your factoring by expanding out.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.
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