This document provides an overview of factoring polynomials and working with rational expressions. It introduces key concepts like the definition of a polynomial, factoring methods including greatest common factor and factoring trinomials, and arithmetic operations on rational expressions. Example problems are provided to demonstrate each concept, with the goal of teaching students how to factor polynomials and simplify rational expressions.
This document provides an overview of factoring polynomials and working with rational expressions. It introduces key concepts like the definition of a polynomial, factoring methods including greatest common factor and factoring trinomials, and arithmetic operations on rational expressions. Example problems are provided to demonstrate each concept, with the goal of teaching students how to factor polynomials and simplify rational expressions.
This document provides an overview of factoring polynomials and working with rational expressions. It introduces key concepts like the definition of a polynomial, factoring methods including greatest common factor and factoring trinomials, and arithmetic operations on rational expressions. Example problems are provided to demonstrate each concept, with the goal of teaching students how to factor polynomials and simplify rational expressions.
This document provides an overview of factoring polynomials and working with rational expressions. It introduces key concepts like the definition of a polynomial, factoring methods including greatest common factor and factoring trinomials, and arithmetic operations on rational expressions. Example problems are provided to demonstrate each concept, with the goal of teaching students how to factor polynomials and simplify rational expressions.
Factoring Polynomials. Definition of a Polynomial in x.
A polynomial in x is an algebraic expression in the form
an x n + an−1 x n−1 + an−2 x n−2 + ⋅⋅⋅ + a1 x + a0, where an , an−1 , an−2 , ... , a1 , and a0 are real numbers, an ≠ 0, n is a nonnegative integer. n is the degree of polynomial an is the leading coefficient, a0 is the constant term.
Factoring is the process of writing a polynomial as the
product of two or more polynomials. We will do factoring with integer coefficients. Polynomials that cannot be factored using integer coefficients are called irreducible over the integers, or prime.
Methods of Factoring.
A. Factoring out the Greatest Common Factor.
Problem #1. Factor
a) 25 x5 − 15 x3 b) 3x ( x − 2 ) − 24 ( x − 2 )
1 Math 110 SS 2007 Lecture #1. Factoring Polynomials. Rational Expressions. P5, P6 (PART I).
B. Factoring by grouping.
Problem #2. Factor
x 4 − 5 x3 − 3x + 15
C. Factoring Trinomials ax 2 + bx + c .
Problem #3. Factor
a) x 2 + 5 x + 6 b) 6 x 2 + 13x − 5
D. Factoring the Difference of Two Squares.
A2 − B 2 = ( A + B )( A − B )
Problem #4. Factor
a) 121x 2 − 4 y 2 b) x 2 − 5
E. Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials.
A2 + 2 AB + B 2 = ( A + B ) 2
A2 − 2 AB + B 2 = ( A − B ) 2
2 Math 110 SS 2007 Lecture #1. Factoring Polynomials. Rational Expressions. P5, P6 (PART I).
Problem #5. Factor
a) x 2 − 10 x + 25 b) 2 x3 + 12 x + 18
F. Factoring Sums and Differences of Two Cubes.
A3 + B 3 = ( A + B ) ( A2 − AB + B 2 )
A3 − B 3 = ( A − B ) ( A2 + AB + B 2 )
Rational Expressions.
Definition. A Rational Expression is the quotient of two polynomials. Examples:
x2 − 2 x + 5 1 x −1 x+4 , , , x −1 x 5 x3 + x 2 + x + 1
The Domain of the Rational Expression.
The Domain of the Rational Expression is the set
of real numbers for which the expression is defined.
3 Math 110 SS 2007 Lecture #1. Factoring Polynomials. Rational Expressions. P5, P6 (PART I).
Problem #6. Find the domain for the following rational
expressions.
x2 − 2 x + 5 1 x a) b) c) x −1 x x2 + 5x + 6
Simplifying Rational Expressions.
A Rational Expression is simplified if its numerator and
denominator have no common factors other than 1 or − 1.
Simplifying Rational Expressions.
1. Factor the numerator and denominator completely. 2. Divide both the numerator and denominator by the common factors.
Problem #7. Simplify the following rational expressions.
x+2 x2 − 2 x + 1 a) 2 b) x −4 x2 − 1
4 Math 110 SS 2007 Lecture #1. Factoring Polynomials. Rational Expressions. P5, P6 (PART I).
Arithmetic with Rational Expressions.
A. We can add and subtract rational expressions with the
same denominator, thus we need to find the Least Common Denominator and re-write in terms of Least Common Denominator.
Problem #8. Perform operations.
2 x 2 x x 1 a) − b) + c) − x+3 x+3 x+3 x−3 x2 − 2x x + 1
B. Multiplication. The product of two rational expressions is the product of their numerators divided by the product of their denominators.
Problem #9. Perform multiplication. Simplify your answer.
x−5 x+6 ⋅ x + 2 x 2 − 25
C. Dividing rational expressions.
The quotient of two rational expressions is the product of first expression and reciprocal of second.
Problem #10. Divide and simplify
x−3 x2 − 9 ÷ x2 − 1 x2 − 2 x + 1
5 Math 110 SS 2007 Lecture #1. Factoring Polynomials. Rational Expressions. P5, P6 (PART I).
