What did I learn this week?

This week I learned how to factor polynomials.

For example this is the equation: x² + 5x + 6…. To solve this equation we will look at the first and last number. We then find the two numbers that multiply together to make x². That would be x multiplied by x. Then we find the two numbers that multiply together to make 6. That would be 3×2. Then to see if the equation is correct, we take the two numbers that equaled 6 and we see if those two numbers together will equal the middle number in the equation. 3 + 2 = 5, which means it is correct. The equation will look like this… (x + 2) (x + 3)

Another thing I learned was to factor binomials.

For example this is the equation: x² – 16… To solve this equation we basically do the same thing but we can only solve it if the second number in the equation is a prime number. x² is x multiplied by x. We put those in two different brackets. It will look like this (x +….) (x -….). The two equations will look identical except for the terms. One has to be a negative and the other has to be a positive. Then 4×4 = 16 so that is our answer. The final equation will look like this.. (x + 4) (x – 4).

My goal for math 10 is to do good on tests. I am not so great at taking tests so I would like to focus on my testing skills. One way I can improve is by reviewing at least one week before test day. Another way is by asking more questions If I do not understand how to do something. Also, If I don’t understand a question that comes up on a test, I could come back to the question after I have finished the other questions.