Advanced Math practice question

Answer: A. −4x(x² − 2x + 3)

Each term is divisible by −4x: −4x³ ÷ (−4x) = x², 8x² ÷ (−4x) = −2x, −12x ÷ (−4x) = 3. So −4x(x² − 2x + 3).

Why the other answers are wrong

B. −4x(x² + 2x − 3)

The signs inside are wrong: factoring −4x out of +8x² gives −2x, and out of −12x gives +3.

C. 4x(x² − 2x + 3)

With +4x outside, the inside would have to be −x² + 2x − 3 to expand back correctly.

D. −4x(x² − 2x − 3)

−4x times −3 is +12x, but the original has −12x. The last term inside must be +3.

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