only a variable can be a factor

Question

i need help with my algebra true and false questions.

Answer 1

A factor is any number that can be multiplied to get a solution.

 

for example; 2 and 4 are factors of 8 ( 2 x 4 = 8 )

 

A variable is a number that has an unknown quantity

 

for example; 'x' is a variable in the equation 2x + 6 = 10

 

While a variable is a unknown factor if you know what number a factor is than it cannot, by definition, be a variable

 

So False; factors do not have to be variables.

Answer 2

Here is an example to show the statement is false:

 

Consider the expression

 

4xy + 2y.

 

Factor it.  You get

 

4xy + 2y = 2y(2x + 1)

 

Clearly, both the number 2 and the variable y are factors.

Answer 3

A factor is a number or quantity that when multiplied with another factor produces a given number or expression.

 

The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12.     [each may be multiplied by another factor to produce 12]

[Note that 1 or -1 is always a factor]

The factors of 2xy are 1, 2, x, y, 2x, 2y, xy and 2xy.

Answer 4

False.

 

A number is always a factor in a term.. If you do not see the number, it is 1. If you see a negative sign, the number factor is -1. The number factor in a term is called coefficient.