Question

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

a. Distributive property
b. Associative property
c. Transitive property
d. Commutative property

Answer 1

The mathematical operation that you are trying to undo when you factor a polynomial is A. The distributive property.

Answer 2

For this case, suppose we have a generic polynomial in its standard form:

`f (x) = ax ^ 2 + bx + c`

When we factor the polynomial, we rewrite it in the following way:

`f (x) = (x-x1) (x-x2)`

Where,

x1, x2: are the roots of the polynomial.

Therefore, the distributive property is undone.

Remember that the distributive property is:

`a (b + c) = ab + ac`

Answer:

A mathematical operation that you are trying to undo when you factor a polynomial is:

a. Distributive property