Jonathan H.

asked • 03/27/13

how do you write polynomials in factored form?

my teacher wont teach the material in the way i can absorb it(learning disability) so I'm trying to teach myself so i can pass...please help.thanks

Jonathan H.

i just need help with this question today, but later i will definitely need help with others as well

                   ---trekiejon

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03/27/13

Anthony P.

Jonathon,

This question is considerably broad, as there are various methodologies that can be used to factor polynomials depending on the polynomial itself:

. Factoring Out a Common Factor
. Factoring by Grouping
. Factoring a Simple Trinomial
. Factoring a General Trinomial
. Factoring Perfect Squares
. Factoring the Difference of Two Squares
. Factoring the Sum or Difference of Two Cubes

Therefore, it is not really possible to answer your question without spending a considerable amount of time going over each type and providing and example. However, if you would like to teach yourself you can use this great, free online resource called Khan Academy and watch some of the videos on factoring. Here's a link to those videos: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/quadratics/factoring_quadratics/v/factoring-quadratic-expressions

Hope that helps. 

-A

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03/27/13

1 Expert Answer

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Joanne B. answered • 03/27/13

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Are you using equations to find the x-intercepts (zeros) of the function or are you trying to go between standard form and factored form?  Does this question refer to all polynomials or just to squares?

Writing a polynomial in factored form when given the x-intercepts (zeros) of an equation, and their multiplicity:
If a= coefficient, n1= first x-intercept (zero),  n2= second x-intercept (zero), etc.

f(x)=(x-n1)(x-n2)(x-n3) etc.

When an x-intercept (zero) has a multiplicity that becomes the exponent.  For example: if n1 has a multiplicity of 3, you would write the equation above as:

f(x)=(x-n1)3(x-n2)(x-n3)

Note that the exponent is OUTSIDE the parentheses.

If you had a different question, please let me know and post an example from your homework of textbook, so that I can answer your exact question.

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