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Factoring

ChagenChagen
edited 2011-04-05 22:06:37 in General
[tɕagɛn]
Whoever invented this needs to be shot. I normally am extremely good at math--but factoring is awful for me. I actually failed a test on it--that was the first time I ever got below an 85 on a math test. The main reason I'm bad at it is because it is completely relies on nothing but trial-and-error "keep trying everything blindly until you hit the answer". This is illogical. Math is the absolute epitome of logic. thefuckisthisshit.jpg

Comments

  • DelusionalSunsetDelusionalSunset
    Battle Scowler
    errr, it's not that hard to factor, Chagen. Did you learn the diamond method or any other shortcuts?
  • ChagenChagen
    [tɕagɛn]
    The fuck is a diamond method?

    Also, I'm referring to factorin trinomials only. I had homework on them tonight but there's no point if I take literally 3 minutes to do each problem. I was trying to figure out a problem for 7 straight minutes till I finally gave up.
  • snowbullsnowbull
    edited 2011-04-05 22:12:12
    Cue-bey
    What is the diamond method? What sort of equations are we trying to factor here?

    EDIT: Let's see a question.
  • DYREDYRE
    edited 2011-04-05 22:13:35
    7 minutes is too much?  How many problems do you have to do?  I mean, it's normal to spend much, much longer than that on even pretty easy math problems (though maybe not Freshman year).  Although, I guess factoring isn't something that should take a while to do.  So perhaps you're justified.

    Still, yeah, show us some of your problems.
  • RedEyedAbyssRedEyedAbyss
    edited 2011-04-05 22:13:55

    "Whoever invented this needs to be shot."

    I personally hate mathematical proofs, yet preventing its existence wouldn't do society much good would it?

    Peeve aside, if you want to avoid guessing, maybe try memorizing the quadratic formula.

  • ChagenChagen
    [tɕagɛn]
    Abyss: We're already doing the quadratic formula (this factoring assignment is actually make up work from a few weeks ago). I have it memorized, it's almost pathetically easy.

    Snow: Here's the one I was stuck on:

    8x2 + 22x +5

    Here's the one right after it:

    5x2 + 9x -18
  • snowbullsnowbull
    Cue-bey
    Why use a huge ass formula when I can factor?
  • snowbullsnowbull
    edited 2011-04-05 22:19:36
    Cue-bey
    (4x + 1 )(2x +5)

    EDIT: Was that right?
  • ChagenChagen
    [tɕagɛn]
    Because the huge ass formula is insanely easy and is always correct.

    I will always do the quadratic formula when I can. I can do it much faster than factoring.
  • snowbullsnowbull
    edited 2011-04-05 22:21:03
    Cue-bey
    I think I was right. I would have found the solutions in a fraction of the time compared using the quadratic formula.

    EDIT: Wait, do these equal zero? You said equation, so I just assumed...
  • DYREDYRE
    edited 2011-04-05 22:20:09
    (5x-9)(x+2) for the other one.
  • Central AvenueCentral Avenue
    Once you get the hang of factoring, it's almost always easier to factor where you can instead of using the quadratic formula for every one.

    Also, when you take tests/exams, they'll generally be timed expecting you to factor where possible, instead of taking the time to use the formula.
  • ChagenChagen
    [tɕagɛn]
    Wait a minute...I got that problem wrong because I kept thinking b was 24, not 22.

    God damn I'm a scatterbrained dumbass sometimes....
  • snowbullsnowbull
    edited 2011-04-05 22:24:37
    Cue-bey
    I hate when I make mistakes like that. I remember on one test I claimed that 3 times 4 was 7, and didn't bother checking my answer since it was a question with a bunch of radicals and it came out to a whole number.
  • DelusionalSunsetDelusionalSunset
    Battle Scowler
    Chagen, when you're writing out equations like that, if you aren't going to superscript, which is available in that dandy tool bar, you should probably put a caret before the power.

    Diamond Method was something I learned in like 2005? as a method to pin down factors more quickly. Given info went to top and bottom, sides added and multiplied. I think. I don't remember clearly.
  • PonicalicaPonicalica
    (void)
    @DelusionalSunset The superscripts get filtered out by the code
  • DebossDeboss
    Wait a minute...I got that problem wrong because I kept thinking b was 24, not 22.


    This is a problem you will never get over.  It's okay though, they teach you how to make calculators do all the work after this.
  • glennmagusharveyglennmagusharvey
    edited 2011-04-06 02:11:24
    Creature - Florida Dragon Turtle Human
    I think I once mysteriously converted a minus into a plus.

    And a friend of mine reduced 9/60 to 1/10.

    Also, I hear that Gaston is especially good at factoring.
  • DebossDeboss
    Weird brain farts are something you'll never really get past no matter how old you get.  Fortunately, once you get to college level, simply showing you know what you're doing will get you most of the points.
  • StormtroperStormtroper
    Necro so I can whine about making stupid mistakes like those all the time.
  • DYREDYRE
    edited 2011-04-10 21:11:38
    I spent about 20 minutes longer on a math problem earlier today than I should have because I kept forgetting that x*(1/x) = 1, not 1/(x^2).
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