Factor and expand expressions
Turn x² − 5x + 6 into (x − 2)(x − 3), or multiply brackets out, using the algebra commands.
Factoring writes a polynomial as a product. Expanding does the opposite and multiplies the brackets out. Both are one command on a symbolic calculator.
Classic CAS · Factor
Start on the main screen: Press home to open the Home menu (Calculator, Graphs, Settings, and more). Choose Calculator, or press esc to go back to the calculation page.
Type factor( then x² − 5x + 6. Press the right arrow to leave the exponent, close the bracket and press enter.
factor(x^2▶−5x+6)enter
You should see(x-2)·(x-3)
Classic CAS · Expand
Start on the main screen: Press home to open the Home menu (Calculator, Graphs, Settings, and more). Choose Calculator, or press esc to go back to the calculation page.
Type expand( then (x + 2)(x − 3) and press enter.
expand((x+2)(x−3))enter
You should seex^2-x-6
RPN Power 48 · Factor
Start on the main screen: Press ON to cancel what you are typing, then use the stack view. Open the MODE or VAR menu any time; the stack is always shown above the menu row.
Type the expression in an apostrophe entry: X^2 − 5*X + 6, then ENTER.
'αX÷yˣ2−5×αX÷+6ENTEROpen the SYMB menu (left shift, apostrophe), go to the next page with NXT and press the second menu key, FACTOR.
◀SYMB'NXTF2
You should see'(X-2)*(X-3)'
RPN Power 48 · Expand
Start on the main screen: Press ON to cancel what you are typing, then use the stack view. Open the MODE or VAR menu any time; the stack is always shown above the menu row.
Type (X+2)*(X-3) using the right-shift bracket pair (right shift, 8) and ENTER.
'▶( )8αX÷+2▶×▶( )8αX÷−3ENTEROpen SYMB, press NXT for page two and press the first menu key, EXPAN.
◀SYMB'NXTF1
You should see'X^2-X-6'
Tips
- Not every polynomial factors over the integers. If it comes back unchanged, it does not factor neatly.