Factorise
Rewrite an expression as a product of its factors — the opposite of expanding.
Definition
Factorising can mean: taking out a common factor (4x + 8 = 4(x + 2)); factorising a quadratic into two brackets (x² + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3)); or using the difference of two squares (x² − 9 = (x − 3)(x + 3)).
Example
Factorise x² + 7x + 12 = (x + 3)(x + 4).
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