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VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Mathematical Methods CAS => Topic started by: aznboy50 on December 11, 2010, 09:17:55 pm

Title: Factorisation
Post by: aznboy50 on December 11, 2010, 09:17:55 pm

If this came up in an exam, I wouldn't be able to factorise the numerator just by looking at it.

Can someone please explain what I should look for etc etc when factorising this and any general tips on factorisation.

Thank you for the help!

Title: Re: Factorisation
Post by: aznxD on December 11, 2010, 09:23:35 pm

Factorise by grouping two and two.

(a^3-ab^2)+(a^2b-b^3)
a(a^2-b^2)+b(a^2-b^2)
(a+b)(a^2-b^2)

Title: Re: Factorisation
Post by: TrueTears on December 11, 2010, 09:27:58 pm

numerator: a^2(a+b)-b^2(a+b) = (a+b)(a^2-b^2)

to see this clearer let u = a+b

Title: Re: Factorisation
Post by: aznboy50 on December 11, 2010, 09:43:38 pm

Quote from: aznxD on December 11, 2010, 09:23:35 pm

Factorise by grouping two and two.

(a^3-ab^2)+(a^2b-b^3)
a(a^2-b^2)+b(a^2-b^2)
(a+b)(a^2-b^2)

Quote from: TrueTears on December 11, 2010, 09:27:58 pm

numerator: a^2(a+b)-b^2(a+b) = (a+b)(a^2-b^2)

to see this clearer let u = a+b

Thank you. Very helpful

Title: Re: Factorisation
Post by: nacho on December 12, 2010, 01:53:51 am

I see we have a terence tao fan. (Y)