Learn How to Factor

Before you can learn how to factor, you must first learn what a factor is.  A factor is a "piece" of a number (or polynomial) that can be multiplied with other pieces to get the original number. 

Let's look at the number 6.

2 and 3 are factors of 6, because 2 x 3 = 6.

Find the Factors of a Number

To factor a number completely, you must keep "breaking down" the number until all of the factors are prime numbers.

Example: 36 must be factored until it becomes 2•2•3•3.

For more information on the factors of a number, click here.

Make factoring easier by using a factor tree.  This method provides a great visual demonstration so students can gain a much stronger understanding of this concept.

 

Find the Greatest Common Factor of Multiple Numbers

Sometimes when you have two or more numbers you will need to find the greatest common factor of those numbers.  This is the largest number that is a factor of all of the numbers of your set.

When you are factoring polynomials, finding the GCF is extremely important.  This is the first step of all factoring problems!

A major topic in algebra is factoring - and this usually refers to factoring binomials and trinomials like x² - 9 and x² + 7x +12.

We will teach you all of the tricks you need for factoring polynomials, including the guess & check method, as well as the British method. 

Learn all the ways to factor polynomials.

Think you know how to factor?  Learn other algebra and pre-algebra topics or return to the GradeA homepage.