Factoring Polynomials

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What does it mean to factor a polynomial?

Factoring a polynomial involves writing it as a product of its factors or simpler polynomials.

What's the first step in factoring polynomials?

The first step is to find the greatest common factor (GCF) of all terms.

Why is factoring important in algebra?

Factoring is important because it simplifies expressions and solves polynomial equations.

What is the GCF of the terms 6x^2 and 9x?

The GCF is 3x.

How do you factor the polynomial x^2 + 5x + 6?

The polynomial factors as (x + 2)(x + 3).

What is a prime polynomial?

A prime polynomial is a polynomial that cannot be factored further over the integers.

What method can be used to factor x^2 - 9?

This is a difference of squares, which can be factored as (x - 3)(x + 3).

What is the term for a polynomial like x^2 - 16?

It is known as a difference of squares.

Explain the term 'trinomial.'

A trinomial is a polynomial with three terms.

How do you factor a polynomial like x^2 + 7x + 10?

Find two numbers that multiply to 10 and add to 7, which are 5 and 2, then factor as (x + 5)(x + 2).

What is the first step in factoring x^3 - 3x^2?

Factor out the common term, x^2, to get x^2(x - 3).

How do you know if a quadratic trinomial is factorable?

It is factorable if there are two numbers that multiply to give the last term and add to give the middle term.

What is the factored form of 2x^2 + 4x?

The factored form is 2x(x + 2).

What are the factors of the polynomial x^2 - x - 6?

The factors are (x - 3)(x + 2).

Why do we reverse distribution when factoring?

Reversing distribution helps identify common factors to write the polynomial as a product of simpler polynomials.





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1. What does it mean to factor a polynomial?

Factoring a polynomial involves writing it as a product of its factors or simpler polynomials.

Factoring means multiplying the polynomial by its own degree.

Factoring a polynomial involves integrating the polynomial with complex numbers.

It means deriving the polynomial to find its roots.

2. What's the first step in factoring polynomials?

The first step is to find the greatest common factor (GCF) of all terms.

Bring all terms to one side of the equation.

Add polynomials together to simplify.

Divide all terms by the first coefficient.

3. Why is factoring important in algebra?

Factoring is important because it simplifies expressions and solves polynomial equations.

Factoring only helps in creating new equations.

It allows for the conversion of algebraic equations to geometric ones.

It is only used for checking the division of polynomials.

4. What is the GCF of the terms 6x^2 and 9x?

3

6x

3x

9x

5. How do you factor the polynomial x^2 + 5x + 6?

(x - 2)(x - 3)

(x + 2)(x + 3)

(x + 1)(x + 6)

(x - 1)(x - 6)

6. What is a prime polynomial?

A polynomial that has an infinite number of solutions.

A prime polynomial is a polynomial that cannot be factored further over the integers.

A polynomial that can be factored into two identical parts.

A polynomial with a highest degree term coefficient of 1.

7. What method can be used to factor x^2 - 9?

Using the quadratic formula.

Completing the square.

By multiplying both sides by a constant.

This is a difference of squares, which can be factored as (x - 3)(x + 3).

8. What is the term for a polynomial like x^2 - 16?

A perfect square trinomial.

It is known as a difference of squares.

A linear polynomial.

A cubic polynomial.

9. Explain the term 'trinomial.'

A polynomial with a single term.

A polynomial that can be derived with three variables.

A trinomial is a polynomial with three terms.

A trinomial is a polynomial regrouped in sets of three.

10. How do you factor a polynomial like x^2 + 7x + 10?

Break it into (x - 5)(x - 2).

Directly use the quadratic formula.

Find two numbers that multiply to 10 and add to 7, which are 5 and 2, then factor as (x + 5)(x + 2).

Re-write it as x(x + 7) + 10.

11. What is the first step in factoring x^3 - 3x^2?

Add 3x to both sides.

Use polynomial long division.

Factor out the common term, x^2, to get x^2(x - 3).

Write the polynomial as a trinomial and factor.

12. How do you know if a quadratic trinomial is factorable?

If the discriminant is a positive even number.

It is factorable if there are two numbers that multiply to give the last term and add to give the middle term.

If the trinomial's first term is one.

If the last term is a perfect square.

13. What is the factored form of 2x^2 + 4x?

The factored form is 2x(x + 2).

The factored form is (2x^2 + 2)(x).

The factored form is (x + 4)(2x - 1).

The factored form is 2(x^2 + 2).

14. What are the factors of the polynomial x^2 - x - 6?

x(x - 6) + 5

The factors are (x - 3)(x + 2).

The factors are (x + 3)(x - 2).

The factors are (x + 1)(x - 6).

15. Why do we reverse distribution when factoring?

Because distribution leads to quadratic equations.

Reversing distribution helps identify common factors to write the polynomial as a product of simpler polynomials.

To eliminate any negative signs in the polynomial.

To simplify the solution process by increasing the degree.