How do u distinguish between factoring completely and just factoring polynomials?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Hope this helps.. 

Factoring means just pulling out a factor. Factoring completely means whatever u r factoring cannot be factored anymore
 Consider f=x^3-3x^2+2x
 We can rewrrite f as x (x^2 -3x+2) so we have factored out the x term but this isn't factored completely since the second bracket can be factored as (x-1)(x-2) so if we write f as x(x-1)(x-2) then we can say its factored completely

anonymous · Answer

I mean in the question how do you know which procedure to do, if just to factor or factor completely?

anonymous · Answer

idk

anonymous · Answer

Sorry:(

anonymous · Answer

well thanks for ur help :D

anonymous · Answer

Your welcome..thats a hard Q lol