document.write( "Question 1014520: Good morning, can some one please tell me what the difference is between factoring an equation and factoring a polynomial expression.
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Algebra.Com's Answer #630794 by addingup(3677) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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factoring is the act of finding the numbers or expressions that multiply together to make a given number or equation.
\n" ); document.write( "In the case of a polynomial, factoring is the breaking apart of a polynomial into a product of other smaller polynomials.
\n" ); document.write( "You have multiple factoring options to choose from when solving polynomial equations:
\n" ); document.write( "- For a polynomial, no matter how many terms it has, always check for a greatest common factor (GCF) first. Using the GCF is like doing the distributive property backward.
\n" ); document.write( "- If the equation is a trinomial — it has three terms — you can use the FOIL method for multiplying binomials backward.
\n" ); document.write( "- If it’s a binomial, look for difference of squares, difference of cubes, or sum of cubes.
\n" ); document.write( "Finally, after the polynomial is fully factored, you can use the zero product property to solve the equation.
\n" ); document.write( "For more information I would suggest you crack your math book, you'll be surprised to see how much information is between the front and back covers.
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