Factoring Polynomials

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 find the GCF of two algebraic expressions?

Back

To find the GCF of two algebraic expressions, factor each expression completely and identify the common factors.

Front

What is a polynomial?

Back

A polynomial is an expression consisting of variables, coefficients, and non-negative integer exponents, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Front

What does it mean to factor a polynomial?

Back

Factoring a polynomial means rewriting it as a product of its factors.

Front

What is the difference between a monomial and a polynomial?

Back

A monomial is a polynomial with only one term, while a polynomial can have multiple terms.

Front

What is the standard form of a polynomial?

Back

The standard form of a polynomial is written in descending order of the degree of its terms.

Front

What is the degree of a polynomial?

Back

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the expression.

Front

What is the factored form of a difference of cubes?

Back

The factored form of a difference of cubes, a^3 - b^3, is (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2).

Front

How do you factor a trinomial of the form ax^2 + bx + c?

Back

To factor a trinomial of the form ax^2 + bx + c, find two numbers that multiply to ac and add to b, then rewrite the expression using these numbers.

Front

What is synthetic division?

Back

Synthetic division is a simplified method of dividing a polynomial by a linear binomial.