Factorization

Uncommon card · No. 171118

In mathematics, factorization (or factorisation, see English spelling differences) or factoring consists of writing a number or another mathematical object as a product of several factors, usually smaller or simpler objects of the same kind. For example, 3 × 5 is an integer factorization of 15, and (x − 2)(x + 2) is a polynomial factorization of x2 − 4. Factorization is not usually considered meaningful within number systems possessing division, such as the real or complex numbers, since any x {\displaystyle x} can be trivially written as ( x y ) × ( 1 / y ) {\displaystyle (xy)\times (1/y)} whenever y {\displaystyle y} is not zero. However, a meaningful factorization for a rational number or a rational function can be obtained by writing it in lowest terms and separately...

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