Factoring the Expression (x^2 + x + 3)(x^2 + x + 4) - 12
This article explores the steps involved in factoring the expression (x^2 + x + 3)(x^2 + x + 4) - 12. We'll utilize techniques like substitution and the difference of squares to simplify the expression and find its factored form.
1. Substitution
To make the factorization process easier, we can introduce a substitution. Let's represent the common expression (x^2 + x) as 'y'. This simplifies our original expression to:
(y + 3)(y + 4) - 12
2. Expanding the Expression
Expanding the expression above, we get:
y^2 + 7y + 12 - 12
Simplifying further, we have:
y^2 + 7y
3. Factoring out the Common Factor
We can factor out a 'y' from the expression:
y(y + 7)
4. Replacing the Substitution
Now, let's substitute back the original expression for 'y':
(x^2 + x)(x^2 + x + 7)
5. Final Factored Form
Therefore, the fully factored form of the expression (x^2 + x + 3)(x^2 + x + 4) - 12 is (x^2 + x)(x^2 + x + 7).
Conclusion
By using substitution and basic factoring techniques, we were able to successfully factor the given expression. This approach simplifies the process and makes it easier to identify the factors.