Factoring Expressions

Front

What is factoring in mathematics?

Back

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

Front

What does it mean to factor an expression completely?

Back

Factoring an expression completely means to break it down into its simplest factors, where no further factoring is possible.

Front

What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?

Back

The GCF is the largest factor that two or more numbers share.

Front

How do you factor out the GCF from an expression?

Back

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

Front

Factor the expression: 2x + 6

Back

2(x + 3)

Front

Factor the expression: 12x - 20

Back

4(3x - 5)

Front

Factor the expression: 16 + 24x

Back

8(2 + 3x)

Front

Factor the expression: 6x + 12

Back

6(x + 2)

Front

What is a binomial?

Back

A binomial is a polynomial with exactly two terms.

Front

What is a trinomial?

Back

A trinomial is a polynomial with exactly three terms.