To factor X^3 + 3x^2 -54x, you first divide everything by X. Then you have X(x^2 +3x-54). Then you have to find multiples of 54 that add to 3. 6 and 9 work perfectly. To make a negative 54, you have to make number positive and one negative, but they still need to add up to three. Negative six and nine work. That makes the equation X(X-6)(X+9). If you foil that out, you'd get the first quadratic equation.