Getting started - Factoring binomials and polynomials

Algebra I: Getting started - Factoring binomials and polynomials

This is a free lesson from our course in Algebra I


	In this lesson you'll learn how to factor the binomials and polynomials. It is an important step in solving problems in a good number of algebraic applications. In factoring polynomials, you have to determine all the terms that were multiplied together to get the given polynomial. You then try to factor each of the terms you found in the first step. This continues until you can't factor anymore. For Example, here is the complete factorization of the polynomial x⁴ - 16 = (x² + 4)(x + 2)(x - 2) (More text below video...)

Other useful lessons:

Factoring an expression of exponents with the same base

Factoring a quadratic into binomials

Factoring a quadratic using the perfect square method

Factoring a 3rd degree polynomial

(Continued from above) Factoring a polynomial is the opposite process of multiplying polynomials. Recall that when you factor a number, you are looking for prime factors that multiply together to give the number. For Example, 6 = 2 * 3 , or 12 = 2 * 2 * 3. When you factor a polynomial, you are looking for simpler polynomials that can be multiplied together to give the polynomial that you started with. When you factor a polynomial, you are usually only interested in breaking it down into polynomials that have integer coefficients and constants. This might seem complicated here as it is written in text, but it will be easy to follow once you hear the instructor explain it in the video above.

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