Verified Answer :

3x^2 – 5x – 12 = (3x+4)(x-3)

x^2 -9 = (x-3)^2

8x^3+ 12x^2 - 2x - 3 = (4x^2 -
1)(2x + 3)
12x^2 +16x -3= (6x - 1)(2x + 3)

x^2 + 8x - 9= (x + 9)(x - 1) (I can not see
who it can all be positive ;_; )

3(x + y) + a(x + y)=  (3x + 3y) + (ax + ay)

  1. 3x² - 5x - 12
        3x² - 9x + 4x - 12
        (3x + 4)(x - 3)

    8. x² - 9
        x² + 3x - 3x - 9
       (x - 3)(x + 3)

    9. 8x³ + 12x² - 2x - 3
        (8x³ + 12x² - 2x - 3)
        (4x² - 1)(2x + 3)

    10. 12x² + 16x - 3
          12x² + 18x - 2x - 3
          (6x - 1)(2x + 3)

    11. x² + 8x + 9
          (x² + 9x - x + (-9))
          (x - 1)(x + (-9))

    Extra Credit: 3(x + y) + a(x + y)
                         3(x) + 3(y) + a(x) + a(y)
                         3x + 3y + ax + ay
                         3x + ax + 3y + ay
                         (3 + a)x + (3 + a)y