Factor Math Induction: What's the Common Factor?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around factoring a mathematical expression involving polynomials and exploring its relation to mathematical induction. Participants are trying to understand the common factors in the expression without expanding the polynomials and considering alternative approaches to simplify the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an expression and asks for help in factoring it, expressing a desire to avoid expanding the polynomials.
  • Another participant questions the clarity of the initial post and its connection to mathematical induction.
  • A different participant suggests that the distributive property of multiplication is relevant and indicates that the problem does not pertain to induction.
  • A later reply reiterates the original factoring request and identifies common factors of (k+1), (k+2), and (k+3) in both terms, proposing a specific factored form of the expression.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the relevance of mathematical induction to the problem, with some focusing on the factoring aspect while others question the connection to induction.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity in the initial question regarding the relationship between the factoring process and mathematical induction, leading to varied interpretations among participants.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in polynomial factoring, the distributive property, and the connections between algebraic manipulation and mathematical induction may find this discussion relevant.

L²Cc
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[k(k+1)(k+2)(k+3) + 4(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)]/4
factor this out...
What's the common factor? How did you get there? (ok i hope it doesn't require expanding the polynomials :p)
Again, would it be easier if i substituted every (k+x) by a different variable, where (k+1) would equal to variable 'A', (k+2) = B, and so forth?
(this would eventually lead to a mathematical induction)...this is not a homework question...im simply trying to understand factoring and mathematical induction...
 
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What are you asking? I can't make sense of your post or how it relates to mathematical induction.
 
As far as I can tell all you need to remember is that xy+xz=x(y+z), i.e. the distributive property of multiplication. And it has nothing to do with induction.
 
L²Cc said:
[k(k+1)(k+2)(k+3) + 4(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)]/4
factor this out...
What's the common factor? How did you get there? (ok i hope it doesn't require expanding the polynomials :p)
Again, would it be easier if i substituted every (k+x) by a different variable, where (k+1) would equal to variable 'A', (k+2) = B, and so forth?
(this would eventually lead to a mathematical induction)...this is not a homework question...im simply trying to understand factoring and mathematical induction...
It's obvious, isn't it, that there are factors of k+1, k+2, and k+3 in both terms? You can factor those out:
[k(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)+ 4(k+1)(k+2)k+3)]/4= (k+1)(k+2)(k+3)[k+ 4]/4.
 

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