Factoring Checker

Purple Math - Simple Polynomial Factoring Simple Polynomial Factoring (page 1 of 3) Sections: Simple factoring, Factoring "in pairs" Factoring polynomial expressions is not quite the same as factoring numbers, but the concept is very similar. When factoring numbers or factoring polynomials, you are finding numbers or polynomials that divide out evenly from the original numbers or polynomials. But in the case of polynomials, you are dividing numbers and variables out of expressions, not just dividing numbers out of numbers. Previously, you have simplified expressions by distributing through parentheses, such as: 2(x + 3) = 2(x) + 2(3) = 2x + 6 Simple factoring in the context of polynomial expressions is backwards from distributing. 2x + 6 = 2(x) + 2(3) = 2(x + 3) The trick is to see what can be factored out of every term in the expression. Factor 3x – 12. The only thing common between the two terms (that is, the only thing that can be divided out of each term and then moved up front) is a "3". 3x – 12 = 3( ) 3x – 12 = 3(x )