Factoring Algebraic Expressions
Ever notice how some math expressions can look messy but actually have hidden patterns? That's where factoring comes in! Factoring helps you rewrite expressions in a simpler, more organized way.
To factor an algebraic expression with two terms, follow these three simple steps:
- Find a common factor that appears in both terms
- Divide each term by that common factor
- Rewrite the expression using the common factor outside parentheses
For example, with the expression 6x+9, you can see that 3 is common to both terms. Dividing each term by 3 gives you 2x+3, and your final factored form is 32x+3.
Quick Tip: Think of factoring like finding what's similar between terms and "pulling it out" - it's like organizing similar items into the same group!
Fractions can also be factored using the same steps. For the expression 103x+103, the common factor is 103. After dividing each term, you can rewrite it as 103(x+1). This makes expressions with fractions much cleaner!