4.4
Factoring!
factoring is the process
of rewriting a polynomial
as quantities multiplied
where all polynomial factors are prime
A few examples to get us started:
Answers:
Factor:
More practice. . .
When factoring, always check first to see if there is a common monomial factor,
or greatest common factor (GCF). If you find one, factor it out to make each
term smaller - and to make the problem easier to factor further!
First, what is the GCF of 5 & 45?
Now factor it out:
___(
)
Last, can you factor any more?
Hint: A GCF can be negative. . .
Try these on your own. . .factor out the GCF first!
a plan for factoring:
Is the problem in standard form? If it's not, then fix it so it is!
Then look for a GCF - if you find one, factor it out.
Now think about how many terms your expression has. . .
if it's only 2 terms, is it a difference of squares?
If you have a trinomial, are any coefficients perfect squares?
if a and c are both perfect squares, using the square roots may help