How do I factor a polynomial?

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awholenumber
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If you write a polynomial as the product of two or more polynomials, you have factored the polynomial.

List of standard equation types in bold labels with formulas: linear ax + b = c, quadratic ax^2 + bx + c = 0, cubic, general polynomial, radical, rational, and a system of linear equations with n unknowns.


Here is an example:

Factoring example: x^3 - 3x^2 - 2x + 6 = (x - 3)(x^2 - 2), followed by a sentence saying x-3 and x^2 - 2 are the factors of the polynomial.


how do i factor a polynomial ?

Slide titled Factor by Guess and Check: factoring 6x^2+19x+15 using a template ( + )( + ), listing factors of 6 and 15, with a failed attempt (x+1)(6x+15) crossed out and the correct factorization (2x+3)(3x+5) boxed, with expansions shown below.


can somebody explain this step in detail ?
 
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