Factoring by Grouping the Expression 7x³ + 21x² + 3x + 9
To factor the expression 7x³ + 21x² + 3x + 9 by grouping, we will follow these steps:
Step 1: Group the Terms
We start by grouping the first two terms and the last two terms:
(7x³ + 21x²) + (3x + 9)
Step 2: Factor Out the Common Factors
Next, we factor out the common factors from each group:
- From the first group (7x³ + 21x²), the common factor is 7x²:
7x²(x + 3) - From the second group (3x + 9), the common factor is 3:
3(x + 3)
Step 3: Combine the Factored Groups
Now we can rewrite the expression as:
7x²(x + 3) + 3(x + 3)
Step 4: Factor Out the Common Binomial Factor
Notice that (x + 3) is a common factor in both terms:
(x + 3)(7x² + 3)
Conclusion
The resulting factored expression of 7x³ + 21x² + 3x + 9 by grouping is: