Solve a Polynomial by Grouping

This polynomial consists of 4 terms, which we can solve by grouping. Grouping procedures require factoring the first two terms and then factoring the last two terms. If the factors in the parentheses are identical, we can continue the process and solve, unless more factoring is suggested.

The grouping process ends here, as we can factor $x^2-9$ using the difference of squares formula.

The solutions are $3,$ $\mathrm{-3},$ and $\mathrm{-1.}$ Note that the highest exponent is 3 and we obtained 3 solutions. We can see the solutions, the x-intercepts, on the graph in Figure 2.

Figure 2