Linear Algebra For Dummies
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You can factor a quadratic expression to make it easier to work with. Some quadratic expressions can be made better by finding a greatest common factor (GCF). If the terms in the quadratic expression have something in common, then that can be factored out, leaving the expression easier to deal with.

Example 1: Factor the quadratic expression,

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  1. Rewrite the expression in decreasing powers of x.

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  2. Find the GCF.

    Although the expression contains large numbers, each number can be evenly divided by 800.

  3. Factor out the GCF.

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Example 2: Factor the quadratic expression:

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This more complicated example uses four different variables with powers of 2.

  1. Rewrite the expression in decreasing powers of x.

    Only the x appears in a term with a power of one. So, you may choose to write this as a quadratic in x.

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  2. Find the GCF.

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  3. Factor out the GCF.

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