# Algebra factor question?

Can anyone help me factor this equation?

(One hundred sixty)(one minus q divided by four)(ten plus q divided by 4)

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Hi! Is the expression you wanted to write $160(\frac{1-q}4)(\frac{10+q}4)$? Because this expression is already factored... unless you want $10(1-q)(10+q)$ by putting the $4$'s below $160$. – Patrick Da Silva Jun 2 '12 at 20:49

## 1 Answer

It would be much easier to be sure what you mean if you write the equation. You could see this from the faq or at least write 160(1-q/4)(10+q/4). If you type in line, please make sure there are enough parenetheses to be unambiguous. If you mean $160(1-\frac q4)(10+\frac q4)$ it is already factored in one sense. What you probably want is first to multiply it out, giving $160(1-\frac q4)(10+\frac q4)=-10q^2-360q-1600=10(q-4)(q+40)$. To find the factors, you can first factor our the $10$ by inspection, then try factors of 160 to find the roots (see the rational root theorem)

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It seems like an odd thing to do to multiply it out and then factor it back in again... what are you trying to achieve that you couldn't just do directly? – Ben Millwood Jun 2 '12 at 22:40
@benmachine: Right you are. You can just do as Patrick Da Silva suggested (in another interpretation) and distribute the $4$'s in. – Ross Millikan Jun 3 '12 at 1:19