Symbolic Manipulation 259
Factoring and Expanding Polynomials
Factoring and Expanding PolynomialsFactoring and Expanding Polynomials
Factoring and Expanding Polynomials
Use the
factor („ 2) and expand („ 3) functions.
Finding Prime Factors of a Number
Finding Prime Factors of a NumberFinding Prime Factors of a Number
Finding Prime Factors of a Number
The
factor („ 2) function lets you do more than simply factor an algebraic polynomial.
Factor
x
5
N 1. Then expand the result.
Notice that
factor and expand perform
opposite operations.
You can find prime factors of a rational
number (either an integer or a ratio of
integers).
factor(expression [,var])
for factoring with respect to a variable
expand(expression
[,var])
for partial expansion with respect to a
variable