I'm having a difficult time factoring this equation, can someone help me?

Question

x^3 - 9x^2 - 16 x + 144

Answer 1

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x^3 - 9x^2 - 16 x + 144

(x^3 - 9x^2)( - 16 x + 144) <-- Group them.

x^2(x - 9) -16(x - 9) <--Factor out x^2 and -16.

Now cross out one of the (x - 9). And put x^2 and -16 together. So,

(x^2 -16) (x - 9)

Next, factor (x^2 -16).

(x - 4) (x + 4) (x - 9) <--Answer.