Question

Why would someone want to factor a polynomial? Provide real-world examples of different questions we can answer or factors we can determine from factoring a polynomial.

Answer 1

Factoring is a common mathematical process used to break down the factors, or numbers, that multiply together to form another number. Some numbers have multiple factors.

Explanation:

Factoring polynomials involves breaking up a polynomial into simpler terms (the factors) such that when the terms are multiplied together they equal the original polynomial. Factoring helps solve complex equations so they are easier to work with. Factoring polynomials includes: Finding the greatest common factor.

Factoring (called "Factorizing" in the UK) is the process of finding the factors: Factoring: Finding what to multiply together to get an expression. It is like "splitting" an expression into a multiplication of simpler expressions.