Math tutorial for factoring two rational expressions so that we can multiply them

Why is it important to factor expressions in algebra?

• To make them harder to understand

• To increase the number of terms

• To simplify and solve equations

• To make them look more complex

What is the common term in the expression that can be factored out?

• 4X

• X^2

• 3X

• X

How can the expression X^2 - 1 be factored?

• As a difference of squares

• As a single term

• As a sum of squares

• As a trinomial

What happens to the expression X^3 / X when simplified?

• It becomes 1

• It becomes X

• It becomes X^3

• It becomes X^2

Which values of X must be avoided to prevent the denominator from becoming zero?

• Any positive number

• 0, 8, and ±1

• 1, 2, and 3

• Only 0