Methods of FactoringA series of free Intermediate Algebra Video Lessons from Brightstorm online Algebra series
Review of the Methods of Factoring The first step is to identify the polynomial type in order to decide which factoring methods to use. Next, look for a common term that can be taken out of the expression. A statement with two terms can be factored by a difference of perfect squares or factoring the sum or difference of cubes. For the case with four terms, factoring by grouping is the most effective way. This method is explained in the video on advanced factoring.
Factoring Complicated Expressions: Complex Factoring When asked to simplify expressions, sometimes we come across complicated expressions that are not easily factored by traditional methods. When factoring complex expressions, one strategy that we can use is substitution. When an expression has complex terms, we can substitute a single variable, factor and then re-substitute the original term for the variable once we have completely factored the expression.
Factoring the Sum or Difference of Cubes When factoring trinomials, we can learn certain patterns of factoring the sum or difference of cubes. When factoring sum of cubes expressions, we will always end up with the binomial (a + b) multiplied by the trinomial (a^2 - ab + b^2). When factoring the difference of cubes, we will always end up with the binomial (a - b) multiplied by the trinomial (a^2 + ab + b^2).
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