Factoring Review

Front

What is factoring in mathematics?

Back

Factoring is the process of breaking down an expression into a product of simpler factors.

Front

What is the difference between prime and composite numbers?

Back

Prime numbers have exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and themselves, while composite numbers have more than two positive divisors.

Front

What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?

Back

The GCF is the largest positive integer that divides all the given numbers without leaving a remainder.

Front

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

Back

To factor a quadratic expression, find two numbers that multiply to ac and add to b, then rewrite the expression using these numbers.

Front

What is the difference of squares formula?

Back

The difference of squares formula states that a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b).

Front

What is a perfect square trinomial?

Back

A perfect square trinomial is an expression that can be factored into the square of a binomial, such as a^2 + 2ab + b^2 = (a + b)^2.

Front

What is the factoring by grouping method?

Back

Factoring by grouping involves rearranging and grouping terms in a polynomial to factor out common factors.

Front

What is a polynomial?

Back

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

Front

What is the zero product property?

Back

The zero product property states that if the product of two factors is zero, then at least one of the factors must be zero.

Front

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

Back

To factor a trinomial of this form, find two numbers that multiply to c and add to b, then express it as (x + m)(x + n).