Factoring

Definition

Factoring is the process of breaking down a polynomial expression into a product of simpler polynomial expressions. It involves identifying common factors and using various techniques to express a polynomial as a product of its factors. Factoring is a fundamental concept in algebra that is essential for solving a wide range of problems, including solving equations, simplifying rational expressions, and finding the roots of quadratic functions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Factoring is used to solve a formula for a specific variable by isolating that variable on one side of the equation.
2. Factoring is a key step in multiplying polynomials, as it allows you to identify common factors and simplify the expression.
3. Factoring is used to identify special products, such as the difference of two squares or the perfect square trinomial.
4. Factoring is necessary for dividing monomials, as it allows you to cancel common factors in the numerator and denominator.
5. Factoring trinomials of the form $x^2 + bx + c$ is a crucial skill for solving quadratic equations.

Review Questions

• Explain how factoring is used to solve a formula for a specific variable.
  • To solve a formula for a specific variable, you need to isolate that variable on one side of the equation. Factoring can be used to achieve this by identifying common factors and simplifying the expression. For example, if you have the formula $2x + 3y = 12$ and you want to solve for $x$, you can factor out the $x$ term to get $x(2) + 3y = 12$, then divide both sides by 2 to isolate $x$.
• Describe how factoring is used in the process of multiplying polynomials.
  • When multiplying polynomials, factoring can be a useful technique to simplify the expression. By identifying common factors among the terms, you can factor out the GCF and then multiply the remaining factors. This not only makes the multiplication process more efficient, but it also helps to reveal the underlying structure of the polynomial expression. For example, if you need to multiply $(2x + 3)(4x - 5)$, you can first factor out the GCF of 2 to get $2(x + 3/2)(2x - 5)$, which is a much simpler expression to work with.
• Analyze the role of factoring in solving quadratic equations using the quadratic formula.
  • The quadratic formula, $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$, is used to solve quadratic equations of the form $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$. Factoring is a crucial step in this process because it allows you to identify the values of $a$, $b$, and $c$ that are needed to plug into the formula. Furthermore, factoring can sometimes reveal the roots of the quadratic equation directly, without the need to use the formula. This is the case when the quadratic expression can be factored into the form $(x - a)(x - b)$, where $a$ and $b$ are the roots of the equation.

Related terms

Greatest Common Factor (GCF):

The largest factor that is common to all the terms in a polynomial expression.

Trinomial:

A polynomial expression with three terms, typically in the form $ax^2 + bx + c$.

Quadratic Equation:

An equation that can be written in the form $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$, where $a$, $b$, and $c$ are real numbers and $a \neq 0$.