Factoring Expressions

Front

What is factoring in algebra?

Back

Factoring is the process of breaking down an expression into simpler components, or factors, that when multiplied together give the original expression.

Front

What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?

Back

The GCF is the largest factor that two or more numbers have in common.

Front

How do you factor the expression 6x + 12?

Back

6x + 12 = 6(x + 2) by taking out the GCF, which is 6.

Front

What does it mean if an expression can't be factored?

Back

It means that the expression does not have any common factors other than 1, or it is already in its simplest form.

Front

Factor the expression: 2x + 8

Back

2x + 8 = 2(x + 4) by taking out the GCF, which is 2.

Front

What is a binomial?

Back

A binomial is a polynomial that has exactly two terms.

Front

Factor the expression: 3x^2 + 6x

Back

3x^2 + 6x = 3x(x + 2) by taking out the GCF, which is 3x.

Front

What is a polynomial?

Back

A polynomial is an algebraic expression that consists of variables, coefficients, and non-negative integer exponents.

Front

Factor the expression: x^2 - 9

Back

x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3) using the difference of squares.

Front

What is the difference of squares?

Back

The difference of squares is a special factoring technique used for expressions in the form a^2 - b^2, which factors to (a - b)(a + b).