What Is Factored Form in Math?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 04, 2020

The factored form of an equation is the simplest form of the equation that is obtained by factoring out a common variable or constant from multiple terms. Many types of polynomials are presentable in factored form, but the more terms an equation contains, the more difficult it is to find common factors.

To put an equation in factored form, find the largest common factor. For the expression of 2*y+6 for example, the largest common factor is the constant 2. Factoring out the 2 yields a reduced expression of 2*(y+3), which would yield the original when expanded. Since there are no further factors, this expression is now in factored form.