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What mathematical operation are you trying to undo when you factor a polynomial?

User Fuelusumar
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1 Answer

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The answer is: The mathematical operation that you are trying to undo when you factor a polynomial is called "Distributive property".

An example of the Distributive property is shown below:

(x-1)(x+2)=0
x²+2x-x-2=0
x²+x-2=0

If you have the polynomial x²+x=2 and you want to factor it, you obtain:

x²+x=2
x²+x-2=0
(x-1)(x+2)=0
x1=1
x2=-2

This is how you undo the distributive property and it is a perfect method to simplifying equations.
User Chris Morgan
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