Question

help with factoring please

Answer 1

\[x ^{2} + 4x=0\]

Answer 2

To help, I will do the first step for you.

\(\tt x^2 + 4x = 0 \color{red}{\rightarrow} x(x+4) = 0\)

Do you know why I did that?

Answer 3

no that is what I am confused with

Answer 4

Change \(\tt x^2+4x\) to \(\tt x(x+4)\)

Answer 5

but how do I know to change it to that?

Answer 6

OK, let's look at the two terms \(\tt x^2\) and \(\tt4x\). Do you see a greatest common factor in the two terms?

Answer 7

I don't think

Answer 8

4?

Answer 9

Not quite. Do you know what a greatest common factor, or a factor, is?

Answer 10

yes, I just don't know how to find it in that one

Answer 11

Well, your common factor would be \(\tt x\), because x goes into \(\tt x^2\) and \(\tt 4x\).

Think of \(\tt x^2\) as \(\tt x \times x\). Let's re-write our expression: \(\tt x \times x + 4x\). What is a common factor between each term? It's x

Answer 12

Ohh Okayy I see! Thank you so much!