Factor

If needed, press HOME to return to the home screen. The factor option is located in the Algebra menu. The factor option can be applied to either an algebraic expression or a number.

Factor an Algebraic Expression
To factor an algebraic expression, press to access the Algebra menu. Press to select 2:factor. The syntax for factoring an algebraic expression is

factor(expression,variable)

For example, let's factor x ⁴ Ð 9. After the factor( in the entry line, type

X ^ 4 Ð 9 , X ) ENTER

Hence, .

For example, let's factor . After the factor( in the entry line, type Hence, .

The Algebra menu item 2:factor gives a factorization over the real numbers. To obtain a factorization over the complex numbers, first press to access the Algebra menu. Highlight A:Complex . Press the blue right thumb pad arrow to see the complex pop-up submenu. Press to select 2:cFactor.

After cfactor( is pasted into the entry line, type in the expression and variable to be factored, exactly as with the factor option. The factorization is displayed.

Factor a Number

When applied to a number, factor displays a prime factorization of a given integer. To factor an integer into its prime number factors, press to access the Algebra menu. Press to select 2:factor. The syntax for factoring is factor(integer) For example, the screen at right displays the prime factorization for n = 1234567890.