Expert: Ahmed Salami - 3/19/2009

Question
How do I factor : x^3 + 3x^2 + 1   (I set y as zero because i need to find the x intercept to graph this. I already found increasing and decresing intervals using first derivative. What I was trying was to find common factors of one and see when they give me an out put of zero and then use synthetic division. But that didnt work...)

Answer
Hi Eric,
If all you need do is graph the expression, then you can go on without the x intercepts i.e the roots of the equation. Solving for the roots of a cubic equation is not always quite easy and i dont think this expression here is easily factorizable or even possible!
You can always get back to me.

Regards