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What do you do to solve problems that involve factoring? Set the factors = 0 and solve.

Check polynomials in calculator! Your solutions will be the x-intercepts on the graph.

Input your equation using the equation editor (Y=) key on the graphing calculator.
Press GRAPH and check to see if your answers are correct.

Example

2x³ – 2x² -12x
= 2x (x² – x – 6)
= 2x (x – 3)(x + 2)

2x = 0
x = 0

x - 3 = 0
x = 3

x + 2 = 0
x = -2

Example

3xy + 15y + 2x + 10
= (3xy + 15y) + (2x + 10)
= 3y(x + 5) + 2(x + 5)
= (x + 5)(3y + 2)

x + 5 = 0
x = -5

3y + 2 = 0
y = -2/3

If you need more practice you may go to the following website to review factoring rules using interactive applets.