Question

so when you factor an equation.. what do you really mean? what are you trying to get? like this one x^2 – 10x + 25

Answer 1

Do you what does a "factor" means?

Answer 2

Basically, factorizing means that you are trying to simplify the equation to its simplest forms.

The above equation contains a x^2.

Factorizing will help "remove" the x^2, by turning the terms into x's

Do you need me to do the example?

Answer 3

Dauspex, good help ^ :)

Answer 4

yes please
actually can u use this instead? (Factor 9x3 + 18x2 – x – 2) @dauspex

Answer 5

Sorry panda, if I were to use a simpler example, because the polynomial of order 3 and above would require a solving system:

e.g. x^2 - x - 2:

By using the "cross" method or the x= -b + sqrt (b^2 - 4ac) / 2a,

x^2 - x - 2 = (x-2)(x+1)
factorization has just been done,

so (x-2) and (x+1) are factors of the polynomial.

To put it simply, factors are part of numbers / variables, where if you were to divide the number / variable by the factor, you would most likely obtain a real number (integers, fractions, decimals) [of course imaginary numbers can be obtained also, but thats advanced]

I.e. for the number 10,

10 = 1x10 = 2x5
1, 2, 5, 10 are factors of the number 10, as if 10 were divided by the factors, proper integers would be obtained.

@panda03

Answer 6

ok kinda understand but, im still confuse.. is it true that the factor of (9x^3 + 18x^2 – x – 2) is (9x^2-1)(x+2)?

if so, how did it get from (9x^3) to (9x^2)? @dauspex :)

Answer 7

Yes that is true. There are a few methods for factorizing cubic polynomials, you may refer to the below site:

http://www.wikihow.com/Factor-a-Cubic-Polynomial

Answer 8

Thank you! @dauspex