Factoring Quadratics

Front

What is factoring in algebra?

Back

Factoring is the process of breaking down an expression into simpler components, or factors, that when multiplied together give the original expression.

Front

What is a quadratic expression?

Back

A quadratic expression is a polynomial of degree 2, typically in the form ax² + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants.

Front

What is the standard form of a quadratic equation?

Back

The standard form of a quadratic equation is ax² + bx + c = 0.

Front

What are the roots of a quadratic equation?

Back

The roots of a quadratic equation are the values of x that make the equation equal to zero.

Front

What is the quadratic formula?

Back

The quadratic formula is x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a), used to find the roots of a quadratic equation.

Front

What does it mean to factor completely?

Back

Factoring completely means breaking down a polynomial into its irreducible factors, which cannot be factored further.

Front

What is the difference of squares?

Back

The difference of squares is a special factoring pattern expressed as a² - b² = (a + b)(a - b).

Front

How do you factor a trinomial?

Back

To factor a trinomial of the form x² + bx + c, find two numbers that multiply to c and add to b, then express it as (x + m)(x + n).

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 a² + 2ab + b² = (a + b)².

Front

What is the leading coefficient in a quadratic expression?

Back

The leading coefficient is the coefficient of the term with the highest degree in a polynomial, typically 'a' in ax² + bx + c.