Factor polynomials by taking a common factor

The  exercise appears under the Algebra I Math Mission. This exercise practices finding the greatest common factors of polynomials and factoring them out of the polynomials.

Types of Problems
There is one type of problem in this exercise:


 * 1) Find the length and width of the rectangle: This problem provides the area of a rectangle in polynomial form. Using factoring, students are asked to find the length and width of the rectangle and type it in the answer box below. Factor polynomials by taking a common factor.PNG

Strategies
Basic knowledge of factoring polynomials is fundamental for success while doing this exercise.


 * 1) For students experienced with fractions, they should reducing fractions. The number divided by to reduce a fraction into lowest terms is the greatest common factor.

Real-life Applications

 * 1) Polynomials can be used via power series to represent many complicated functions and calculus is simpler to perform on polynomials than other functions. Thus any comfort with polynomials should increase calculus ability.
 * 2) Factoring polynomials is an important skill in solving inequalities and equations with polynomials.
 * 3) Factoring polynomials can be used for solving equations with polynomials, such as those that appear in many business mode