Factoring

What is the first step when factoring?

• Check for Perfect Squares

• Check for the GCF

• Check for perfect Cubes

• Give up, because factoring is hard.

Answer explanation

Don't give up! Factoring always starts with finding the GCF (greatest common factor). Then you can see if you can factor anymore based on what you have left.

Tags

CCSS.HSA.SSE.A.2

Answer explanation

The exponent is a multiple of 2, 64 is a perfect square, and there is a minus sign. That lets us know we are using Difference of Squares formula.

Tags

CCSS.HSA.SSE.A.2

CCSS.HSA.SSE.B.3

Answer explanation

The exponent is a multiple of 3, 64 is a perfect cube, and there is a minus sign. That lets us know we are using Difference of Cubes formula.

Answer explanation

The exponent is a multiple of 3, 64 is a perfect cube, and there is a plus sign. That lets us know we are using Sum of Cubes formula.

Answer explanation

The exponent is a multiple of 2, both numbers are perfect squares, and there is a minus sign. That lets us know we are using Difference of Squares formula. Both number need to be factored.

Tags

CCSS.HSA.SSE.A.2

CCSS.HSA.SSE.B.3

Answer explanation

The exponent is a multiple of 3, 216 is a perfect cube, and there is a minus sign. That lets us know we are using Difference of Cubes formula.

Answer explanation

The exponent is a multiple of 3, 216 is a perfect cube, and there is a plus sign. That lets us know we are using Sum of Cubes formula.

• Can't be factored

Answer explanation

Finding the GCF (greatest common factor) is always the first thing you should do when factoring. After factoring out a 3 there is nothing else you can factor because the 3 inside is not a perfect square.

Tags

CCSS.HSA.SSE.A.2

CCSS.HSA.SSE.B.3

• Can't be factored

Answer explanation

Finding the GCF (greatest common factor) is always the first thing you should do when factoring. There are no common factors for 4 and 5 so they remain the same. The most each term can give is 2 x's so because it is the smallest exponent. So that is the most we can take out.

Tags

CCSS.HSA.SSE.A.2

CCSS.HSA.SSE.B.3

• Can't be factored

Answer explanation

Finding the GCF (greatest common factor) is always the first thing you should do when factoring.

Tags

CCSS.HSA.SSE.A.2

CCSS.HSA.SSE.B.3