Factoring

Front

What is factoring?

Back

Factoring is breaking down a number or an expression into its simplest parts, called factors, that when multiplied together give the original number or expression.

Front

What does GCF stand for?

Back

GCF stands for Greatest Common Factor, which is the largest number that divides two or more numbers without leaving a remainder.

Front

What is the GCF of 12 and 6?

Back

The GCF of 12 and 6 is 6.

Front

What does it mean to factor completely?

Back

To factor completely means to break down an expression into its simplest factors that cannot be factored any further.

Front

What is the difference of two squares?

Back

The difference of two squares is a special factoring pattern that applies to expressions in the form a² - b², which can be factored as (a + b)(a - b).

Front

Can you factor 49x² + 4y²? Why or why not?

Back

No, you cannot factor 49x² + 4y² using the difference of two squares because it has an addition sign.

Front

What is the factored form of 3x² + 18x + 15?

Back

The factored form is 3(x + 5)(x + 1).

Front

What is the factored form of 2x² + 22x + 60?

Back

The factored form is 2(x + 5)(x + 6).

Front

What is the first step in factoring an expression?

Back

The first step is to look for the GCF of all the terms in the expression.

Front

What does it mean to factor out the GCF?

Back

To factor out the GCF means to divide each term in the expression by the GCF and write it outside of parentheses.