0

I need help factoring \begin{align} x^3-3x^2+30x-1=0.\tag{1} \end{align} Any thoughts? I've tried the old guess and check method with long division and $\left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right),\left(x-1\right),\left(x-12\right),\left(x-6\right)$, all to no avail.

Thank you for your time,

bjd2385
  • 3,017
  • only possible rational factors of the cubic is $\pm 1.$ neither of them is a factor. it has a root $x = 0.03344$ according to my ti-83. – abel Feb 18 '15 at 17:37
  • 2
    Is it possible that $30$ should be just $3$? Then this factors nicely as $(x-1)^3=0$ – vadim123 Feb 18 '15 at 17:39
  • @vadim123 I only wish :P – bjd2385 Feb 18 '15 at 17:41
  • 1
    Chances are that if this is an exercise from some class then either there's a mistake in one of the polynomial's coefficients or else the lecturer is devilish evil. If this stems from other problem then the "devilish" part can be diminished to "awfully". – Timbuc Feb 18 '15 at 17:52

1 Answers1

-1

Do not look for a neat number(check wolframalpha)

Arashium
  • 2,541