lucas and erick are factoring the polynomial 12x3 – 6x2 8x – 4. lucas groups the polynomial (12x3 8x) (–6x2 – 4) to factor. eric

Both students provided correct answers. Given: The polynomial is - To determine: Who factored the terms correctly? Lucas grouped the polynomial as - Next, solving Lucas’s polynomial should give us results. Erick grouped the polynomial as - Now, we will solve Erick’s polynomial. The factors that both Lucas and Erick arrived at are the same. Each grouping yields identical results. Consequently, both students are correct.

Both Lucas and Erick are right since polynomials can be factored through various groupings. Each method leads to a shared binomial factor across the groups. By applying the distributive property, this shared binomial can be factored out. Ultimately, both groupings yield the identical two binomial factors.