How to Factor Polynomials Online
Factoring a polynomial can be daunting task. Fortunately, what is a standard chore in Algebra I and II classes is not fully automated online. Several sites provide free online calculators that factor polynomials, or at least find the roots. Some restrictions apply, though. Some sites can’t solve for complex roots, and most sites won’t factor multivariate polynomials, like x^2-y^2.
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Instructions
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Find a polynomial calculator online that calculates polynomials’ roots (see Resources).
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Enter your polynomial according to the syntax that the calculator requires. The web pages linked to in the resources section below each give an example of how a polynomial should be entered.
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Take the roots r1, r2, etc. that the calculator outputs and form a factorization with them: (x-r1)(x-r2)…. The Junque site gives you the factorization directly, not just the roots.
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Add a coefficient to the front of the factorization to make it equal to the polynomial with which you started out.
For example, if the calculator returns roots 3 and -2 for 2x^2-2x-12, then (x-3)(x+2) isn’t your original polynomial. You’ll have to multiply the factorization by 2 to get the original. I.e. 2x^2-2x-12 = 2(x-3)(x+2).
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Tips & Warnings
Note that the Junque calculator can also return complex roots. For example, it can factor x^2+x+1, which you can’t factor without introducing the square root of -1.
