THE ALGEBRA LINEUP: IDENTIFY THE FACTORS OF A MONOMIAL

After we learn how to multiply polynomials, the next step is learning how to go the other direction; or how to find the elements which were multiplied together to give the final product. We often think of this as "multiplying in reverse."

In the math world it is called "factoring".

Take for example the number 24. It has many factors like the 6 and 4 shown below.

The monomial has several factors also, like the shown above.
Other factors of 24 are:

1*24
2*12
3*8

Other factors of are:

Let's try to identify factors with a little head start.

...What can we multiply x to the fifth power by to get x to the eighth power?

Remember, when we multiply monomials, we add the exponents. So the needed factor here is .

Try these and then click the answer link to see if you are correct.

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