Algebra II : Factoring Polynomials

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Factoring Polynomials

Factor .

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First pull out 3u from both terms.

3u4 – 24uv= 3u(u3 – 8v3) = 3u[u3 – (2v)3]

This is a difference of cubes. You will see this type of factoring if you get to the challenging questions on the GRE. They can be a pain to remember, but pat yourself on the back for getting to such hard questions! The difference of cubes formula is a3 – b3 = (a – b)(a2 + ab + b2). In our problem, a = u and b = 2v:

3u4 – 24uv= 3u(u3 – 8v3) = 3u[u3 – (2v)3]

                = 3u(u – 2v)(u2 + 2uv + 4v2)

Example Question #11 : Factoring Polynomials

Factor .

Possible Answers:

Cannot be factored any further.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a difference of squares. The difference of squares formula is a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a – b).

In this problem, a = 6x and b = 7y:

36x2 – 49y= (6x + 7y)(6x – 7y)

Example Question #2 : Factoring Polynomials

Factor:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #3 : Factoring Polynomials

Factor the following expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To factor, we are looking for two terms that multiply to give  and add together to get .

Possible factors of :

Based on these options, it is clear our factors are  and .

Our final answer will be:

Example Question #11 : Factoring Polynomials

Factor the following expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To factor, we are looking for two terms that multiply to give  and add together to get .

Possible factors of :

Based on these options, it is clear our factors are  and .

Our final answer will be:

Example Question #12 : Factoring Polynomials

Factor the following expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To factor, we are looking for two terms that multiply to give  and add together to get .

Possible factors of :

Based on these options, it is clear our factors are  and .

Our final answer will be:

Example Question #4 : Factoring Polynomials

Factor the following expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To factor, we are looking for two terms that multiply to give  and add together to get . There are numerous factors of , so we will only list a few.

Possible factors of :

Based on these options, it is clear our factors are  and .

Our final answer will be:

Example Question #13 : Factoring Polynomials

Factor the following expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To factor, we are looking for two terms that multiply to give  and add together to get . There are numerous factors of , so we will only list a few.

Possible factors of :

Based on these options, it is clear our factors are  and .

Our final answer will be:

 

Example Question #14 : Factoring Polynomials

Factor the following expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To factor, we are looking for two terms that multiply to give  and add together to get .

Possible factors of :

Based on these options, it is clear our factors are  and .

Our final answer will be:

 

Example Question #15 : Factoring Polynomials

 

Simplify:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Factor the numerator:

Simplify the fraction:

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