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Factor
See It in Action
Two examples of the idea done right—and one common look-alike that is not right.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
NON-EXAMPLE
Definition
In mathematics, a factor is a number or algebraic expression that divides another number or expression evenly, without leaving a remainder. In other words, if a and b are numbers, and a • b = c, then both a and b are factors of c.
For example:
The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12, because:
1 • 12 = 12, 2 • 6 = 12, 3 • 4 = 12
In algebra, factors of an expression like x^2 - 5x + 6 might be (x-2)(x-3), because:
(x-2)(x-3) = x^2 -5x + 6
In summary, a factor is a number or expression that divides another number or expression exactly.
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