Scribd
Upload
193 views

Factoring in Algebra

1) Factoring involves expressing a mathematical expression as a product of simpler expressions by finding common factors. It is the opposite of expanding expressions. 2) To factor an expression, one should find any common factors, factor out the highest common factor including variables, and check if the expression can be written as a difference of squares or other common factoring identities. 3) Examples demonstrate factoring expressions using common factors like distributing negative signs, factoring out common terms, and using identities for difference of squares, difference/sum of cubes, and perfect cubes. Memorizing these identities can help factor expressions more easily.

Uploaded by

Nur Amalia
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
193 views

Factoring in Algebra

1) Factoring involves expressing a mathematical expression as a product of simpler expressions by finding common factors. It is the opposite of expanding expressions. 2) To factor an expression, one should find any common factors, factor out the highest common factor including variables, and check if the expression can be written as a difference of squares or other common factoring identities. 3) Examples demonstrate factoring expressions using common factors like distributing negative signs, factoring out common terms, and using identities for difference of squares, difference/sum of cubes, and perfect cubes. Memorizing these identities can help factor expressions more easily.

Uploaded by

Nur Amalia
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Factoring in Algebra

Factors
Numbers have factors:

And expressions (like x2+4x+3) also have factors:

Factorising is the process of finding the factors: Factoring: Finding what to multiply together to get an expression. It is like "splitting" an expression into a multiplication of simpler expressions.

Example: factor

2y+6

Both 2y and 6 have a common factor of 2:

2y is 2 y 6 is 2 3

So you can factor the whole expression into:

2y+6 = 2(y+3)
So, 2y+6 has been "factored into" 2 and y+3 Factoring is also the opposite of Expanding:

Common Factor
In the previous example we saw that 2y and 6 had a common factor of 2 But to do the job properly make sure you have the highest common factor, including any variables

Example: factor

3y2+12y 3.

Firstly, 3 and 12 have a common factor of So you could have:

3y2+12y = 3(y2+4y)

But we can do better!

3y2 and 12y also share the variable y. Together that makes 3y:

3y2 is 3y y 12y is 3y 4
So you can factor the whole expression into:

3y2+12y = 3y(y+4)
Check: 3y(y+4) = 3y y + 3y 4 = 3y2+12y

Advices
The factored form is usually best. When trying to factor, follow these steps:

"Factor out" any common terms See if it fits any of the identities, plus any more you may know Keep going till you can't factor any more

Remember these Identities

Here is a list of common "Identities" (including the "difference of squares" used above). It is worth remembering these, as they can make factoring easier.

a2 - b2 = (a+b)(a-b) a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a+b)(a+b) a2 - 2ab + b2 = (a-b)(a-b) a3 + b3 = (a+b)(a2-ab+b2) a3 - b3 = (a-b)(a2+ab+b2) a3+3a2b+3ab2+b3 = (a+b)3 a3-3a2b+3ab2-b3 = (a-b)3

More Examples
I said that experience helps, so here are more examples to help you on the way:

Example: w4 - 16
An exponent of 4? Maybe we could try an exponent of 2:

w4 - 16 = (w2)2 - 42
Yes, it is the difference of squares

w4 - 16 = (w2 + 4)(w2 - 4)
And "(w2 - 4)" is another difference of squares

w4 - 16 = (w2 + 4)(w + 2)(w - 2)


Example: 3u4 - 24uv3
Remove common factor "3u":

3u4 - 24uv3 = 3u(u3 - 8v3)


Then a difference of cubes:

3u4 - 24uv3 = 3u(u3 - (2v)3) = 3u(u-2v)(u2+2uv+4v2)


Example: z3 - z2 - 9z + 9
Try factoring the first two and second two separately:

z2(z-1) - 9(z-1) (z-1) is on both, so let us use that: (z2-9)(z-1) 2 And z -9 is a difference of squares (z-3)(z+3)(z-1)
Wow, That is as far as I can go.

You might also like