Question

Factorize: $a^4-2a^3-4a+8$

• A. $(a-2)(a^2-4)$
• B. $(a-2)(a^3-4)$
• C. $(a-2)(a^3+4)$
• D. $(a+2)(a^3-4)$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $(a-2)(a^3-4)$

$\Rightarrow a^4-2a^3-4a+8$

$\Rightarrow a^3(a-2)-4(a-2)$

$\text{Take out}(a-2)\text{as common term.}$

$\Rightarrow (a-2)(a^3-4)$