To factor or not to factor

De, Prithwijit (2023) To factor or not to factor. At Right Angles. pp. 30-31. ISSN 2582-1873

Text - Published Version Download (170kB)

Abstract

Factorisation of algebraic expressions is an integral part of school algebra curriculum. Most of the expressions one deals with involve at most two variables and their degrees are either 2 or 3. The process of finding factors relies heavily on the ability to make astute observations and clever reductions to some standard forms such as u2 − v2 or u3 ± v3. Rarely does one encounter expressions of degree 4 or higher with the exception of x4 + x2y2 + y4 which can be reduced to the u2 − v2 form by writing it as (x4 + 2x2 y 2 + y 4 ) − x2 y 2 = (x2 + y 2 ) 2 − (xy) 2 .

Item Type:	Articles in APF Magazines
Authors:	De, Prithwijit
Document Language:	Language English
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Factorisation, difference of two squares
Subjects:	Natural Sciences > Mathematics
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > University Publications > At Right Angles
Full Text Status:	Public
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/4546
Publisher URL:

Actions (login required)

View Item