Factoring Definition and 339 Threads

  1. T

    Factoring x and y in quadradic form

    Homework Statement factor 4x^2-6xy+10y^2 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution completing the square i get, 4[(1/4)y^2-(3/4)xy+(9/16)y^2]-4(9/16)y^2+10y^2 but i don't know what to do with the bracketed term. It can't be factored easily
  2. G

    Factorising / Factoring formulas

    I had to factorise this formula. The answer that I came up with is below: 6ax - 12ay - 18a squared. 6(ax - 2ay - 3a squared) My book says that the correct answer is: 6a(x - 2y - 3a) Would my answer have been marked wrong in an exam? Why is the book's answer preferable to mine...
  3. D

    Factoring methods with equations higher than second degree

    Homework Statement Can someone tell what are the other factoring methods when dealing with equations higher than the second degree. The only I is the synthetic division. Aside from that, I do not know anything. I need other factoring methods so I can deal with problems that cannot be...
  4. C

    Mastering Factoring Polynomials: Tips, Tricks, and Examples to Help You Succeed!

    Alright, I'll be honest. I was extremely tired and slept all through the lesson in Algebra today lol. And now I need help with factoring polynomials. Example problems that I need help on: 7h3+448 Perfect square factoring - y4-81 Grouping - 3n3-10n2-48n+160 You don't have to answer...
  5. Z

    Factoring Madness: Intersecting Curves

    Homework Statement I need to find where these curves intersect: x+y = 2y^2 y = x^3 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution So I try to write both in terms of y, I get 2y^2 - y = y^(1/3) I try to factor 2y^2 - y - y^(1/3) = 0 y(2y - 1 - y^(-2/3)) = 0 ...
  6. Z

    Factoring this thing with 6 degree

    Homework Statement I need to factor this: u - u^6 -u^3 +1 = 0 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I know that (u +1) and (u-1) are roots.. but not sure what to do now without long division.. Do I put them into multiples like (u^3 + 1)(u^3 -1) ??
  7. Z

    Factoring something with absolute value

    Homework Statement I need to find where these intersect: y = |x| 3y - x = 8 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I equate them: |x| = (1/3)x + (8/3) |x| - (1/3)x - (8/3) = 0 |3x| - x - 8 = 0 |2x| - 8 = 0 |x| = 4 Is that right? How do I get the other solution?
  8. Z

    Factoring something with cube power?

    Homework Statement I need to find where these two intersect: x = y^3 x = 3y + 2 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I set them to equate: y^3 = 3y + 2 y^3 - 3y + 2 = 0 How do I factor this??
  9. Z

    Find Intersection of -sqrt(x) & x-6 Functions

    Homework Statement I need to find the point at which these functions intersect: y = -sqrt(x) y = x - 6 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I set them to equate: -sqrt(x) = x - 6 -sqrt(x) - x + 6 = 0 Now how do I find the root?
  10. F

    Factoring X4+1: Step-by-Step Guide

    Homework Statement I am trying to factor x4+1 into two multiplied polynomials Homework Equations My teacher gave us this hint that its factored form is (ax2+bx+c)(ax2+bx+c) The Attempt at a Solution First i assumed that a and c were equal to 1 so that when x2 is multiplied...
  11. R

    Factoring a Polynomial: Finding the Missing Factor in 7X2(X - 2) - (X - 2)

    Homework Statement 7X2(X - 2) - (X - 2) 2. The attempt at a solution Ok, this is really simple but for some reason I can't figure out why the answer has to be (7X2 - 1)(X - 2) The process is that I have to divide both parts by (X - 2). However, if I do that, I only get 7X2 - 1...
  12. M

    How to Factorize a Complex Polynomial with Roots of the Form z = ix?

    Homework Statement The polynomial f(z) is defined by f(z) = z5 - 6z4 + 15z3 - 34z2 + 36z - 48 Show that the equation f(z) = 0 has roots of the form z = ix where x is real, and hence factorize f(z)The Attempt at a Solution So I know that you begin by factoring out (z-ix) from the function...
  13. V

    Factoring and Plotting a Polar Equation

    Homework Statement The question is: Factor and Plot the polar equation r^2-r+(1/4)sin^2 4 theta Homework Equations N/A The Attempt at a Solution I have no idea how to do this.
  14. S

    Factoring vs. original equation

    ok so i was presented with the equation x^2-7x+12=0 and i can't decide what the answer should be. if i factor the equation i come up with 3 and 4. but when i plug those back into the original equation it doesn't work. so does that mean that there is no answer or does it mean I'm doing...
  15. 3

    Factoring drag into artillery flight, differential equation

    Imagine separating a parabola into its different x and y components and linking them by the component of time. Scenario: Given: Gravity No Drag The velocity of the launched object is not sufficient to escape the gravitational pull. Ignoring: The change of gravity as the distance...
  16. J

    Factoring x^4 + x^3 + 2x - 4 = 0 (cubic equ)

    Homework Statement x^4 + x^3 + 2x - 4 = 0 Homework Equations N/A The Attempt at a Solution x^4 + x^3 + 2x - 4 = 0 x(x^3 + x^2 +2) = 4 i don't know what to do with this. i tried to factor (x^3 + x^2 +2), but i don't know how. I also have a feeling that I am not doing this...
  17. I

    How come this factoring works for finding points on a curve that equals slope 1?

    Homework Statement y\prime=4x^3+6x^2+2x+1 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution 4x^3+6x^2+2x+1 -1 = 2x(2x^2+3x+1) (I moved the +1 over so I don't get 1/x, but I figured this should screw up the equation since it is no longer 0 on the left hand side.) -1 = 2x(2x+1)(x+1) So the...
  18. DocZaius

    When Should I Beware of Factoring Out?

    Consider this equation: 7x*tan(4x)=5x Initially, one might think to simply factor the x out of each side of the equation and be left with this: tan(4x)=\frac{5}{7} Well that's wrong! That is only one solution! The other solution is: x=0 You should instead have done the...
  19. L

    How can I factor a cubic equation?

    Homework Statement g(x)= x^4-2x^3-3x^2+2x+2 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution After using synthesized division, got x^3-x^2-4x-2 I need help in factoring from here please
  20. W

    Learn How to Factor Quadratics: Step-by-Step Guide for Gr. 10 Math Homework

    Homework Statement Factor. 2x^{2}+5x-12 I just took a semester off from school and I feel dumb. My recommendation to anyone reading is don't do that. Anyways, back to gr. 10 math :cry: Normally if I was going to factor this I would try to eliminate the coefficient of x^{2} but it...
  21. M

    How do I factor a polynomial with a coefficient in front of the highest power?

    Homework Statement 8x^3 + 4X^2 - 2x -1 Homework Equations remainder theorem factor theorem The Attempt at a Solution None yet, not sure how to go about it when there is a coefficent in front of the highest power of X.
  22. G

    Help with Factoring 2x^2 + 5x - 12

    I'm currently taking a Math Analysis class. We started reviewing basic factoring from Algebra 2 before starting new material. I can factor a basic trinomial with the coefficient of x^2 being 1, but if the coefficient is 2 or more, I am not sure how to factor it. I am able to factor these very...
  23. J

    Factoring expressions with negative exponents

    Homework Statement Factor 3x (4x-1)^-2 - 6x^2 (4x-1)^-1 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  24. 3

    Factoring (u^3-1): Homework Solution

    Homework Statement This is a limit problem but what I'm stuck on is algebra: find lim as u approaches 1 of ((u^4)-1)/((u^3)-1). Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution 1 is a root and (u-1) is a common factor, so I want to rearrange the numerator and denominator so I can...
  25. O

    Factoring 3rd degree polynomial

    Homework Statement Factor 12X^3-12X^2-60X+24=0 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  26. Loren Booda

    Riemann proof effect on factoring composites

    To what degree would proving the Riemann hypothesis facilitate the factoring of large composites? In other words, how much would a complete (as opposed to "hit-or-miss") knowledge of primes help to reduce the operations needed to factor large composites?
  27. D

    Factoring Algebraic Expressions with Fractional Exponents

    Homework Statement (4x-1)^{1/2}-1/3(4x-1)^{3/2}Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I think the GCF is (4x-1)^{1/2}. So, I get (4x-1)^{1/2}(1+(-1/3(4x-1))) = (4x-1)^{1/2}(-4/3x+4/3) = -4/3(4x-1)^{1/2}(x-1) However, the answer in the book is 4/3(4x-1)^{1/2}(x-1). I've done it several...
  28. O

    Question about Factoring Equation

    Hi, I use the \frac{-b \ \pm \ \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} formula to factoring the quadratic equation. Can anyone tell me how to factoring the cubic equation? Usually I use the division method to factoring higher order than quadratic equation such as cubic, etc., by trial, one-by-one. Cheers...
  29. D

    Factoring a constant from each row of matrix

    Why is it that a 16 comes out when you factor a 2 from each row of this matrix: 0 2 2 2 2 0 2 2 2 2 0 2 2 2 2 0
  30. D

    Finding a Complex Matrix Square Root for a Set of Equations

    *The subject should have been complex matrix square root. I need to find one solution to the follow set of complex equations: a*a+b*b = 1-K-K/2 a*b+c*d=K/2 c*c+d*d=1-K/2 where K is some real constant. This is equivalent to finding a 2x2 complex matric M such that M^\dagger M= 1-K-K/2, -K/2...
  31. R

    Solving Equations by Factoring - Find the length of the hypotenuse

    "Solving Equations by Factoring" - Find the length of the hypotenuse Homework Statement One leg of a right triangle is 2 feet more than twice the other leg. The hypotenuse is 1 foot more than the longer leg. Find the length of the hypotenuse of the right triangle. * I am not sure how to...
  32. I

    Factoring and solving for variable x

    [b]1. Solve algebraically for... 1.) 4x*(x^2-5)+(x^2-5)^2=0 two separate problems not relating to each other 2.) 4x^3*(1-x)^3-3*(1-x)^2*x^4=0 [b]2. this symbol ^ is to the power of. all x's are the x variable as written in my precalc book. For problem 1. I see that...
  33. D

    How can -x^3 + 27 be factored?

    Homework Statement factor -x^3 + 27 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Nothing, I have no idea how to factor it.
  34. H

    Factoring x2+4 and Special Cubed Theorems: Homework Help

    Homework Statement can u factor x2+4 and can't seem to remember the the difference of cubes and isn't there another special cubed theorem. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  35. C

    Simple factoring after differentiating.

    Homework Statement I'm having trouble factoring this to its simplest term. I'm not very good at factoring, but I'm working on it. I was hoping that someone might be able to help me here. Homework Equations Find the critical points for f(t) = t * sqrt(4 -(t^2)) on the closed interval [1...
  36. S

    Can this polynomial with integer coefficients be factored?

    the question is this: factor the following polynomial with integer coefficients: x^{5024}+x^{1004}+1 my first thought is that since this polynomial doesn't have real roots such a factorization isn't even possible, but i really don't have any more clever idea how to factor this one.
  37. M

    Can someone help me factor this complex equation?

    Homework Statement A simple way to factor the left hand side of the given equation. Homework Equations E^2-E^2(\frac{\frac{F^2vt}{c}}{M})+(\frac{\frac{F^4v^2t^2}{c^2}}{M^2})=-p+(\frac{\frac{F^4v^2t^2}{c^2}}{M^2}) The Attempt at a Solution I would, just that i am confused on...
  38. L

    Calc 3 Factoring a Trig equation

    can you somehow factor the following equation ? sqrt(9sin^2(t)+16cos^2(t)+1/4)
  39. R

    Solve By Factoring, and Equation of Cubic Function whose graph passes thru

    Homework Statement I am stuck on these two pre-cal problems... can anyone help? Solve By Factoring: 2x^3 + 2x^2 = 4x + 4 This next one I have no idea how to do Find an equation of the cubic function whose graph passes through the points (3,0) and (1,4) and is tangent to the x-axis...
  40. K

    Group like terms factoring problem

    (x-y+2\sqrt{x}-2\sqrt{y})/(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}) The first thing I did was group like terms (x+2\sqrt{x}-y-2\sqrt{y})/(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}) Then from the liked terms I factored out a \sqrt{x} & -\sqrt{y} ((\sqrt{x})(\sqrt{x}+2)-(\sqrt{y})(\sqrt{y}+2))/(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}) Here is where I...
  41. T

    Solve Factoring Problems: 2 Examples

    Factoring problems... 1. Having problems with factoring almost got it except this 2 (3x^3+21x^2+36x)/ 3x^4+12x^3-27x^2-108x ( Edited) The Attempt at a Solution the numerator 3x^3+21x^2+36x I can see the factor right away its 3x so 3x(x^2+7x+12) and for new denominator that I mixed...
  42. qntty

    How Can You Mentally Factor Numbers Without a Calculator?

    Does anybody have any good tricks to quickly factor a number in your head, or a trick that can be done quickly on paper? The best method that I know without using a calculator is the traditional method of finding two not-necessarily-prime factors and factoring those with the same method.
  43. P

    How do I fix the factoring function on my TI-89 calculator?

    does anyone have a problem with the factoring function on the TI 89? i tried to factor (by using f2 factoring function)a simple problem like 12x^2+5xy-3y^2 the answer should be (4x+3y)(3x-y) but on my calculator i just get a rearranged order of 12x^2-3y^2+5xy...does anyone know how to fix this...
  44. H

    How to Factor a Cube: Exploring Denominators and Graphs for Asymptotes and Holes

    Homework Statement I am trying to find out when the denominator of this equation is zero so I can tell when the graph has asymptotes or holes. For squares I factor such as x2+2x-15 = (x+5) (x-3). How do I do that with a cube? Homework Equations (x-5) (x+3) X3-5x2+x-5
  45. S

    LIMITS, complicated square roots and factoring

    The question is as follows: \frac{lim}{h\rightarrow0} \frac{\sqrt{1+h}-1}{h} I don't know if the way I approached the question is right, I'll give you a step by step of what I attempted: First I converted the square root into 11/2 and h1/2 (can I do that? Is that correct?) Then I...
  46. N

    Unable to do fundamental factoring

    I have been trying this problem for a long time now. Factor the polynomial t^7+2t^6-24t^5. So far I came up with t^n(t+x)(t+y). I have no clue on how to work this out because i am only able to do them to the 2nd degree. I can really use the help. Thanks, Neil
  47. K

    Factoring "Puzzle": Find a for \frac {a^2 - 2x -3}{x^2 - 4x + a}

    factoring "puzzle" For what values of "a" can the following be factored and reduced: \frac {a^2 - 2x -3}{x^2 - 4x + a} Ok, so the first thing on the list is to factor the top term. x = \frac {-(-2) \pm \sqrt{(-2)^2 - 4 * 1 * (-3)} } {2 * 1} The roots are 3 & -1, and the factors then...
  48. T

    Factoring Determinant of 3x3 Matrix - Step by Step Solution

    Homework Statement | x x^2 1 | | x^2 x 1 | | x^3 x^3 1 | The answer is = x^2(1-x)^2(1+2x) Homework Equations none The Attempt at a Solution By factoring the matrix step by step. Thanks :)
  49. S

    Factoring without trial and erorr?

    Is there a formula for factoring simple second order polynomials with zero trial and error? For example: 3X^2-11X+6 I know the answer is (3X-2)(X-3) and that can be checked by foiling obviously. I know 3X and X have to be the first terms, and that the last two have to be multiples of 6...
  50. E

    Solve the fallowing by factoring and making appropriate sign charts.

    Homework Statement Solve the fallowing by factoring and making appropriate sign charts. 2x^2+4x\leq3 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution It simply does not factor the way I want it to(unless I did something wrong). I don't think it wants me to use the quadratic formula, and...
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