SAT Math : Factoring Equations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Factoring Equations

Factor the following equation. 

x– 16

Possible Answers:

(x2)(4 – 2) 

(x + 4)(x – 4)

(x + 4)(x + 4)

(x)(x – 4)

(x – 4)(x – 4)

Correct answer:

(x + 4)(x – 4)

Explanation:

The correct answer is (x + 4)(x – 4) 

We neen to factor x– 16 to solve. We know that each parenthesis will contain an x to make the x2. We know that the root of 16 is 4 and since it is negative and no value of x is present we can tell that one 4 must be positive and the other negative. If we work it from the multiple choice answers we will see that when multiplying it out we get x+ 4x – 4x – 16. 4x – 4x cancels out and we are left with our answer. 

Example Question #195 : Algebra

If x3 – y3 = 30, and x2 + xy + y2 = 6, then what is x2 – 2xy + y2?

Possible Answers:

25

cannot be determined

24

5

180

Correct answer:

25

Explanation:

First, let's factor x3 – y3 using the formula for difference of cubes.

x3 – y= (x – y)(x2 + xy + y2)

We are told that x2 + xy + y2 = 6. Thus, we can substitute 6 into the above equation and solve for x – y.

(x - y)(6) = 30.

Divide both sides by 6.

x – y = 5.

The original questions asks us to find x2 – 2xy + y2. Notice that if we factor x2 – 2xy + y2 using the formula for perfect squares, we obtain the following:

x2 – 2xy + y= (x – y)2.

Since we know that (x – y) = 5, (x – y)2 must equal 52, or 25.

Thus, x2 – 2xy + y= 25.

The answer is 25.

Example Question #4 : Equations / Inequalities

if x – y = 4 and x2 – y = 34, what is x?

Possible Answers:

9

15

10

12

6

Correct answer:

6

Explanation:

This can be solved by substitution and factoring.

x2 – y = 34 can be written as y = x2 – 34 and substituted into the other equation: x – y = 4 which leads to x – x2 + 34 = 4 which can be written as x2 – x – 30 = 0.

x2 – x – 30 = 0 can be factored to (x – 6)(x + 5) = 0 so x = 6 and –5 and because only 6 is a possible answer, it is the correct choice.

Example Question #196 : Algebra

If x2 + 2ax + 81 = 0.  When a = 9, what is the value of x?

Possible Answers:

3

–18

9

–9

0

Correct answer:

–9

Explanation:

When a = 9, then x2 + 2ax + 81 = 0 becomes 

x2 + 18x + 81 = 0.  

This equation can be factored as (x + 9)2 = 0.

Therefore when a = 9, x = –9.

Example Question #91 : Algebra

If f(x) has roots at x = –1, 0 and 2, which of the following could be the equation for f(x)?

Possible Answers:

f(x) = x4 + x3 – 2x2

f(x) = x– x– 2x

f(x) = x– x+ 2x

f(x) = x– x – 2

f(x) = x2 + x – 2

Correct answer:

f(x) = x– x– 2x

Explanation:

In general, if a function has a root at x = r, then (x – r) must be a factor of f(x). In this problem, we are told that f(x) has roots at –1, 0 and 2. This means that the following are all factors of f(x):

(x – (–1)) = x + 1

(x – 0) = x

and (x – 2).

This means that we must look for an equation for f(x) that has the factors (+ 1), x, and (x – 2).

We can immediately eliminate the function f(x) = x2 + x – 2, because we cannot factor an x out of this polynomial. For the same reason, we can eliminate f(x) = x– x – 2.

Let's look at the function f(x) = x– x+ 2x. When we factor this, we are left with x(x2 – x + 2). We cannot factor this polynomial any further. Thus, x + 1 and x – 2 are not factors of this function, so it can't be the answer.

Next, let's examine f(x) = x4 + x3 – 2x.

We can factor out x2.

x(x+ x – 2)

When we factor x+ x – 2, we will get (x + 2)(x – 1). These factors are not the same as x – 2 and x + 1. 

The only function with the right factors is f(x) = x– x– 2x.

When we factor out an x, we get (x– x – 2), which then factors into (x – 2)(+ 1). Thus, this function has all of the factors we need.

The answer is f(x) = x– x– 2x.

Example Question #92 : Algebra

Factor 36x2 – 49y2.

Possible Answers:

cannot be factored

(6x + 7y)(6x + 7y)

6x2 – 7y2

(6x – 7y)(6x – 7y)

(6x + 7y)(6x – 7y)

Correct answer:

(6x + 7y)(6x – 7y)

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.

So 36x2 – 49y= (6x + 7y)(6x – 7y).

Example Question #7 : How To Factor An Equation

Solve for x:

\dpi{100} \small x^{2}-2x-48 = 0

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small x=8,-6

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small x=8,-6

Explanation:

Find two numbers that add to \dpi{100} \small -2 and multiply to \dpi{100} \small -48

Factors of \dpi{100} \small 48

\dpi{100} \small 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,16,24,48

You can use \dpi{100} \small -8 +6 =-2

\dpi{100} \small (x-8)(x+6) = 0

Then make each factor equal 0.

\dpi{100} \small x-8 = 0 and \dpi{100} \small x+6 = 0

\dpi{100} \small x= 8 and \dpi{100} \small x=-6

Example Question #93 : Algebra

Find the roots of f(x)=x^2+2x-3

Possible Answers:

x=0,3

x=2,1

x=-1,3

x=1,3

x=1,-3

Correct answer:

x=1,-3

Explanation:

Factoring yields (x+3)(x-1) giving roots of -3 and 1.

Example Question #2 : How To Factor An Equation

\frac{-3-2x+x^{2}}{x-3}

 

Find the root of the equation above.

Possible Answers:

x=1

x=3

x=-1

x=2

x=0

Correct answer:

x=-1

Explanation:

The numerator can be factored into (x-3)(x+1).

Therefore, it can cancel with the denominator. So x+1=0 imples x=-1.

Example Question #94 : Algebra

 

Solve for .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Find all factors of 24

1, 2, 3,4, 6, 8, 12, 24

Now find two factors that add up to  and multiply to and  are the two factors.

By factoring, you can set the equation to be 

If you FOIL it out, it gives you .

Set each part of the equation equal to 0, and solve for .

 and

 and

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