2007-10-19 07:20:58 · 5 answers · asked by bibobum 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
It allows you to simplify expressions, and it is a way to find the solutions to polynomial equations.
For example, the expression:
(x^3 - 6x^2 + 12x - 8)/(x^2 - 4x + 4)
factors to:
((x-2)^3)/(x-2)^2 = x - 2
The final result is much simpler than the original expression.
If this expression were made into an equation, e.g.,
(x^3 - 6x^2 + 12x - 8)/(x^2 - 4x + 4) = 0
and you want to find the value of x that satisfies this equation (makes the equation true), then the result we got by factoring and cancelling like factors lets us immediately see that x = 2 is the only solution to the equation.
Similarly, x^2 - x - 6 = 0 factors to:
(x + 2)(x-3) = 0
This equation is satisfied when either of the factors equals zero, so x = -2 and x = 3 are both solutions to the original polynomial equation.
2007-10-19 07:24:35 · answer #1 · answered by hfshaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well when you get into higher maths, factoring will nine times out of ten make a problem easier to solve. So you'll need it for higher up maths.
For example take (x^2+2x+1)/(x+1)
This can be reduced to (x+1)(x+1)/(x+1) = x+1
See? x+1 is far more simple than the original problem
2007-10-19 07:25:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
to find the zeroes or to simplify by taking out common factor
2007-10-19 07:23:44 · answer #3 · answered by raj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to make you suffer for several years then realize it does not apply to real life in many professions.
2007-10-19 07:24:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
the find the their roots.
2007-10-19 07:30:27 · answer #5 · answered by iyiogrenci 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋