Question

Explain a fast and easy way to factor.

Answer 1

To factor what? I don't think anybody is going to write a chapter on factoring.

Answer 2

Just the basic steps of factoring is all I'm looking for. Maybe some tips that you have that has helped you with factoring.

Answer 3

1. Whatever it is, look for a common factor and factor it out if there is one.
2. Is it a binomial, trinomial or four terms?
3. If it's a binomial, is it the difference of two squares. If not, you can't factor it.
4. If it's a trinomial try to factor it as the product of two binomials. ( )( )
5. If it has 4 terms, try to factor by grouping.

Answer 4

Thank you! That will help me alot.

Answer 5

yw

Answer 6

are you factoring multiple terms or is this simple GCF LCM

Answer 7

theres a couple 'tricks' to both

Answer 8

We're all ears.

Answer 9

which is it?

Answer 10

Well for example I had this,
3x^2+22x-16=0
I used to be able to do this in a good amount of time but I'm out of practice and I've forgotten alot.
I also have this,
x^2-9x+14/4x=0

Answer 11

Finding the zeros of the function by factoring.

Answer 12

3x^2 +22x -16 is a trinomial
so try two binomials clearly one would have to start with 3x and the other with x
(3x )(x )

Answer 13

The 16 on the end is negative. possible factors of -16 are 1, -16 -1, 16 -2,8 2,-8 4,-4

Answer 14

Use trial and error with those factor pairs until you find the one that gives the correct middle term.

Answer 15

Did you get (3x-2)(x+8) ?

Answer 16

Yes, I just got that. So now I put (3x-2) equal to zero?

Answer 17

Thank you for the help! I finished the problem and got x=2/3 and x=8