All GED Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #5 : Solving By Factoring
Factor the following expression.
This expression involves the difference of two cubic terms. To factor an expression in this format, we can use a special formula.
Before we can use this formula, we need to manipulate our original expression to identify and .
Comparing this with the formula, and . Now we can use the formula to factor.
Example Question #5 : Solving By Factoring
Factor the following expression.
Not factorable
This problem involves the difference of two cubic terms. We need to use a special factoring formula that will allow us to factor this equation.
But before we can use this formula, we need to manipulate to make it more similar to the left hand side of the special formula. We do this by making the coefficients (343 and 64) part of the cubic power.
Comparing this with , and .
Plug these into the formula.
Example Question #5 : Quadratic Equations
Factor:
Begin by factoring out a 2:
Then, we recognize that the trinomial can be factored into two terms, each beginning with :
Since the last term is negative, the signs of the two terms are going to be opposite (i.e. one positive and one negative):
Finally, we need two numbers whose product is negative thirty-five and whose sum is positive two. The numbers and fit this description. So, the factored trinomial is:
Example Question #6 : Solving By Factoring
Solve for :
You can factor this trinomial by breaking it up into two binomials that lead with :
You will fill in the binomials by finding two factors of 36 that add up to 5. This is achieved with positive 9 and negative 4:
You can then set each of the two binomials equal to 0 and solve for :
Example Question #11 : Solving By Factoring
Factor the polynomial.
To factor a polynomial of the form , we want to look at the factors of and the factors of . We want to find the combination of factors which when multiplied and added together give the value of .
In our case, , , and .
The factors for are .
The factors for are.
Since is we will want to use the factors because .
Therefore when we put these factors into the binomal form we get,
.
Also see that
will foil out into the original polynomial, as , the coefficient for our term, and , the constant.
Example Question #83 : Factoring Polynomials
Factor completely:
The expression is not factorable.
First, factor out the greatest common factor (GCF), which here is . If you don't see the whole GCF at once, factor out what you do see (here, either the or the ), and then check the result to see if any more factors can be pulled out.
Then, to factor a quadratic trinomial, list factors of the quadratic term and the constant (no variables) term, then combine them into binomials that when multiplied back out will give the original trinomial.
Here, the quadratic term has only one factorization: .
The constant term has factorizations of , , , and .
We know the constant term is positive, so the binomials both have the same operation in them (adding or subtracting), since a positive times a positive OR a negative times a negative will both give a positive result.
But since the middle term is negative, both binomial factors must contain subtraction. And .
Example Question #1 : Solving Equations
Solve for .
Multiply both sides by 3:
Distribute:
Subtract from both sides:
Add the terms together, and subtract from both sides:
Divide both sides by :
Simplify:
Example Question #11 : Solving By Factoring
Solve for :
or
and
and
For quadratic equations, you need to factor in order to solve for your variable. You do this after the equation is set equal to zero. Thus, you get:
Next do your factoring:
into
Then, you set each factor equal to . Solve each "small" equation:
or or
BOTH of these are answers to the equation.
Example Question #12 : Solving By Factoring
Solve for :
and
and
and
For quadratic equations, you need to factor in order to solve for your variable. You do this after the equation is set equal to zero. Luckily, this is already done for you! Thus, start by factoring:
into
Then, you set each factor equal to . Solve each "small" equation:
or
or
BOTH of these are answers to the equation.
Example Question #13 : Solving By Factoring
Solve for :
or
and
and
For quadratic equations, you need to factor in order to solve for your variable. You do this after the equation is set equal to zero. Thus, you get:
Next do your factoring. You know that both groups will be positive. Also, given that the middle term is , you only have one possible choice for your factors of :
Then, you set each factor equal to . Solve each "small" equation:
or
or
BOTH of these are answers to the equation.