Lucas and Erick are factoring the polynomial

12x3 - 6x2 + 8x - 4. Lucas groups the polynomial (12x3 + 8x) + (-6x2 - 4) to factor. Erick groups the polynomial (12x3 - 6x2) + (8x - 4) to factor. Who correctly grouped the terms to factor? Explain.

Erick correctly grouped the terms to factor. All you have to do is split the polynomial "in half." Make sure the polynomial is written in the correct form with the exponents in order. Then split it down the middle.

Both students are correct because polynomials can be grouped in different ways to factor. Both ways result in a common binomial factor between the groups. Using the distributive property, this common binomial term can be factored out. Each grouping results in the same two binomial factors.