3. Factoring a polynomial containing the sum of monomials mean finding an equivalent expression that is a product. In this section we will be factoring over the set of integers, meaning that the coefficients in the factors are integers. Polynomials that cannot be factored using integer coefficients are called prime.
6. Sometimes all of the terms of a polynomial may not contain a common factor. However, by a suitable grouping of terms it may be possible to factor. This is called factoring by grouping.
11. Factor: 4 2 + + Choose either two positive or two negative factors since the sign in front of the 8 is positive. -6 -9 6 9 Sum of Factors -4,-2 -8,-1 4,2 8,1 Factors of 8
12. Factor: + - 1 5 Since the sign in front of the 5 is a negative, one factor will be positive and one will be negative. Sum of outside and inside products Possible factorizations
40. Expressions with fractional and negative exponents are not polynomials, but they can be factored using similar techniques. Find the greatest common factor with the smallest exponent in the terms.