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Factoring is taking a polynomial 'answer' and finding out the original multiplication question Common Factoring An example of a non-factored question is: 8x2 + 12x You must factor it. To find a common factor you find the biggest term that will divide into both numbers. So it would look like: 4x(2x + 3) This is nothing more that you can do. Trinomial Factoring x2+5x+6 is an example of a trinomial. To make a F.O.I.L question out of the trinomial, you break it down like this: Look for two numbers that add to 5 and multiply to 6. The numbers 2 and 3 work. (x + 2)(x + 3) is the answer. That's all you can do. Combination Factoring Combination factoring is a combination of common factoring (which you always do first) and a reverse foil question. Here's an example. 3x2 + 9x + 6 Take out the common factor: 3(x2 + 3x + 2) Now factor the trinomial. Look for two numbers that multiply to 2 and add to 3. The numbers that work are 2 and 1. So the final answer is: 3(x + 2)(x + 1) |
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All content by students Bill Willis 2000 Wunderland Website Design |