Study GuidePrecalculus–Polynomial and Rational Functions1. Factoring PolynomialsFactoring is likeundoing multiplication.Instead of multiplying expressions together, you break a polynomial into simpler parts whose productgives you the original expression.Factoring is one of the most important skills in algebra. It helps you:•Solve higher-degree equations•Simplify expressions•Understand how polynomials are builtYou may already know some factoring, but this chapter reviews the key methods you should becomfortable with.1. Greatest Common Factor (GCF)Thegreatest common factoris the largest factor that dividesevery termin a polynomial evenly.If all terms share one or more common factors, you can factor them out just like you would factornumbers.How to find the GCF:1.Look at the numbers in each term.2.Look at the variables and take the smallest power they all share.3.Multiply those together.Example 1:Factor the expressions(a)Each term is divisible by5andx, so the GCF is5x.Preview Mode
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