Question

When you factor out a polynomial, what do you do with the factors if it doesn't ask for the GCF or LCF? Do you just leave it be?

Answer 1

if it's an equation equal to 0 you can discard the factors, otherwise if it's an expression you must keep them

Answer 2

assuming you're factoring out coefficients, not variables

Answer 3

It doesn't, so then the factors are my final answer? No, i am factoring both out. Like a^2+5ab+4b^2

Answer 4

What are the instructions for the problem on which you are working?

Answer 5

(a+4b)(a+b), you are not throwing anything out here

Answer 6

It just says factor them out... But i'm not sure if there is some rule to use when you're done factoring.

Answer 7

if they ask you to factor that, then the answer is what i gave. it can't be factored further

Answer 8

wouldn't it be AxAx5xAxBx2x2xBxB???

Answer 9

what? there are plus signs in there. where'd you put them?

Answer 10

a^2+5ab+4b^2
(a+4b)(a+b) hold on, in your answer where did the 5ab go? How did you get your answer?

Answer 11

The 5ab comes back when you FOIL the factored expression

Answer 12

Oh, can you explain in greater detail. How do you know what order to put your answer in (before Foiling)?

Answer 13

well it's a^2 and the sign before 4b^2 is + so both factors will have the same sign as the first addition/subtraction operator. so you know you will have (a+ )(a+ )

Answer 14

the only factors of 4b^2 that, when multiplied with a, add to 5ab, are 4b and 1b

Answer 15

okay, so where do you get the b from? the 5ab or the 4b?

Answer 16

both...you should probably review your factoring lessons. if you're that far off, i don't think i'm going to be able to help you here

Answer 17

haha okay