Astudent factors 3x4 - 12 to the following.
3(x² – 4)
which statement about 3(x4 - 4) is true?
the expression is equivalent, and it is completely factored.
the expression is equivalent, but it is not completely factored.
the expression is not equivalent, but it is completely factored.
the expression is not equivalent, and it is not completely factored.

The expression is not equivalent, and it is not completely factored.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given expression:

Student factors it to

to choose the correct statement about the student's answer.

Solution.

We will completely factor the given expression.

We have,

Factoring out 3 which is the greatest common factor for both terms

⇒

Factoring the difference of squares [ ]

⇒  

⇒

⇒  

⇒ [Further difference of squares]

From the steps we see that none of the steps are equivalent to the student's expression.

Thus, we can say that the expression is not equivalent, and it is not completely factored.

answer: a

step-by-step explanation: