Factoring polynomials can be tricky, and it's easy to trip up. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
Forgetting the GCF: Always start by finding the greatest common factor (GCF)!
For example, in the expression (6x^2 + 9x), the GCF is (3x).
So, you should write it as (3x(2x + 3)).
Getting the Difference of Squares Wrong: Remember this formula:
If you see (a^2 - b^2), it factors to ((a - b)(a + b)).
For instance, with (x^2 - 9), you can factor it to ((x - 3)(x + 3)).
Mistakes with Trinomials: Make sure the two numbers you choose multiply to (c) and add up to (b).
For the trinomial (x^2 + 5x + 6), it factors to ((x + 2)(x + 3)).
If you can avoid these mistakes, you'll get better at factoring!
Factoring polynomials can be tricky, and it's easy to trip up. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
Forgetting the GCF: Always start by finding the greatest common factor (GCF)!
For example, in the expression (6x^2 + 9x), the GCF is (3x).
So, you should write it as (3x(2x + 3)).
Getting the Difference of Squares Wrong: Remember this formula:
If you see (a^2 - b^2), it factors to ((a - b)(a + b)).
For instance, with (x^2 - 9), you can factor it to ((x - 3)(x + 3)).
Mistakes with Trinomials: Make sure the two numbers you choose multiply to (c) and add up to (b).
For the trinomial (x^2 + 5x + 6), it factors to ((x + 2)(x + 3)).
If you can avoid these mistakes, you'll get better at factoring!