The following is AI slop. Do not actually use it to learn factoring!
Factoring is a key concept in algebra that involves breaking down an
expression into simpler components, called factors, that when multiplied
together give the original expression. Factoring is often used to simplify
equations, solve quadratic equations, or simplify algebraic expressions.
1. What is Factoring?
In the context of algebra, factoring refers to expressing a polynomial as a
product of simpler polynomials or numbers. For example, factoring the
expression x2+5x+6x^2 + 5x + 6 means finding two binomials that, when
multiplied, give you x2+5x+6x^2 + 5x + 6.
2. Types of Factoring
There are several techniques and methods for factoring polynomials,
depending on the type of expression. The most common methods are:
A. Factoring Common Factors
If all terms in the expression have a common factor, you can factor that out.
Example 1:
6x2+3x6x^2 + 3x
Here, both terms have a common factor of 3x. We factor out the 3x:
6x2+3x=3x(2x+1)6x^2 + 3x = 3x(2x + 1)
So, 6x2+3x6x^2 + 3x factors into 3x(2x+1)3x(2x + 1).
B. Factoring Quadratics
A quadratic expression is typically in the form:
ax2+bx+cax^2 + bx + c
Factoring quadratics involves finding two binomials whose product equals
the quadratic expression.
1. Simple Quadratic (where a=1a = 1)
For quadratics in the form x2+bx+cx^2 + bx + c, the goal is to find two
numbers that:
Multiply to give cc (the constant term),
Add up to give bb (the coefficient of xx).
Example 2:
x2+5x+6x^2 + 5x + 6
We need to find two numbers that multiply to 6 and add up to 5. These
numbers are 2 and 3 because:
2×3=6and2+3=52 \times 3 = 6 \quad \text{and} \quad 2 + 3 = 5
So, we can factor the quadratic as:
x2+5x+6=(x+2)(x+3)x^2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3)
2. Quadratic with a≠1a \neq 1
For quadratics of the form ax2+bx+cax^2 + bx + c, where a≠1a \neq 1, we
use a more complex method, often called splitting the middle term.
Example 3:
2x2+7x+32x^2 + 7x + 3
Step 1: Multiply aa and cc:
2×3=62 \times 3 = 6
Step 2: Find two numbers that multiply to 6 and add to 7. These numbers
are 6 and 1 because:
6×1=6and6+1=76 \times 1 = 6 \quad \text{and} \quad 6 + 1 = 7
Step 3: Rewrite the middle term 7x7x as 6x+1x6x + 1x:
2x2+6x+1x+32x^2 + 6x + 1x + 3
Step 4: Factor by grouping:
2x(x+3)+1(x+3)2x(x + 3) + 1(x + 3)
Step 5: Factor out the common binomial:
(2x+1)(x+3)(2x + 1)(x + 3)
So, 2x2+7x+32x^2 + 7x + 3 factors into (2x+1)(x+3)(2x + 1)(x + 3).
C. Difference of Squares
When you have an expression like a2−b2a^2 - b^2, it can be factored as:
a2−b2=(a−b)(a+b)a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)
This is called the difference of squares.
Example 4:
x2−9x^2 - 9
This is a difference of squares because 9=329 = 3^2, so we factor it as:
x2−9=(x−3)(x+3)x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3)
D. Perfect Square Trinomial
If you have a trinomial that can be written as the square of a binomial, you
can factor it using the formula:
a2+2ab+b2=(a+b)2a^2 + 2ab + b^2 = (a + b)^2
or
a2−2ab+b2=(a−b)2a^2 - 2ab + b^2 = (a - b)^2
Example 5:
x2+6x+9x^2 + 6x + 9
This is a perfect square trinomial because:
x2+6x+9=(x+3)2x^2 + 6x + 9 = (x + 3)^2
We can see this by recognizing that 6x6x is twice the product of xx and 3,
and 9 is the square of 3.
E. Factoring Trinomials with Leading Coefficients Greater Than 1 (General
Case)
For more complex trinomials (when a≠1a \neq 1 and splitting the middle
term doesn’t work easily), you can use the AC method or trial and error.
Example 6:
6x2+11x−356x^2 + 11x - 35
Step 1: Multiply aa and cc:
6×−35=−2106 \times -35 = -210
Step 2: Find two numbers that multiply to -210 and add up to 11. These
numbers are 21 and -10 because:
21×(−10)=−210and21+(−10)=1121 \times (-10) = -210 \quad \text{and} \
quad 21 + (-10) = 11
Step 3: Rewrite the middle term as 21x−10x21x - 10x:
6x2+21x−10x−356x^2 + 21x - 10x - 35
Step 4: Factor by grouping:
3x(2x+7)−5(2x+7)3x(2x + 7) - 5(2x + 7)
Step 5: Factor out the common binomial:
(2x+7)(3x−5)(2x + 7)(3x - 5)
So, 6x2+11x−356x^2 + 11x - 35 factors into (2x+7)(3x−5)(2x + 7)(3x - 5).
3. Factoring by Grouping
Factoring by grouping is used when you have a four-term polynomial. You
group the terms in pairs and factor each pair.
Example 7:
ax+ay+bx+byax + ay + bx + by
Step 1: Group the terms:
a(x+y)+b(x+y)a(x + y) + b(x + y)
Step 2: Factor out the common binomial:
(x+y)(a+b)(x + y)(a + b)
So, ax+ay+bx+byax + ay + bx + by factors as (x+y)(a+b)(x + y)(a + b).
4. Special Factoring Patterns
There are a few common patterns to recognize when factoring:
Difference of squares: a2−b2=(a−b)(a+b)a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)
Perfect square trinomial: a2+2ab+b2=(a+b)2a^2 + 2ab + b^2 = (a +
b)^2 or a2−2ab+b2=(a−b)2a^2 - 2ab + b^2 = (a - b)^2
Sum or difference of cubes: a3+b3=(a+b)(a2−ab+b2)a^3 + b^3 = (a
+ b)(a^2 - ab + b^2) or a3−b3=(a−b)(a2+ab+b2)a^3 - b^3 = (a - b)
(a^2 + ab + b^2)
Summary of Factoring Techniques:
1. Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF).
2. Factor quadratics (simple or with a≠1a \neq 1).
3. Use difference of squares.
4. Recognize perfect square trinomials.
5. Factor by grouping for polynomials with four terms.
6. AC method for complex trinomials.
