Factoring All Methods Review for FLASHCARD

Front

What is the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)?

Back

The GCF is the largest factor that two or more numbers share. It is used to simplify expressions and factor polynomials.

Front

How do you factor out the GCF from the expression 18a² - 15a?

Back

The GCF of 18a² and 15a is 3a. Factoring it out gives: 3a(6a - 5).

Front

What is the first step in factoring a polynomial completely?

Back

The first step is to factor out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) from all terms.

Front

Factor the expression 3x² + 18x + 15 completely.

Back

3(x + 5)(x + 1).

Front

What is a trinomial in the context of factoring?

Back

A trinomial is a polynomial with three terms, typically in the form ax² + bx + c.

Front

How do you factor the trinomial 3x² - 7x - 6?

Back

The factors are (3x + 2)(x - 3).

Front

What is the difference of squares?

Back

The difference of squares is a special factoring case where a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b).

Front

Factor the expression 16n² - 25 using the difference of squares method.

Back

(4n - 5)(4n + 5).

Front

What does it mean to factor completely?

Back

To factor completely means to break down a polynomial into its simplest factors, including all GCFs and irreducible polynomials.

Front

What is the result of factoring the expression 3v² - 4v - 7?

Back

(3v - 7)(v + 1).