ASVAB AFQT
Book image
Explore Book Buy On Amazon
A lot of algebra involves factoring, so you're guaranteed to encounter factoring questions on the Mathematics Knowledge subtest on the ASVAB. There are different ways that you can factor an expression, as you'll see in the following practice questions.

Practice questions

  1. Factor: 36x2 – 49y2

    A. (6x + 7y)(6x – 7y) B. (6x(6x))(7y(7y)) C. (6x + 6x)(7y – 7y) D. (6x3)(7y3)

  2. Factor: x2 – 5x + 6

    A. (x – 6)(x + 1) B. 3(x – 2)(x – 3) C. x(x – 2) – 3(x – 3) D. (x – 2)(x – 3)

Answers and explanations

  1. The correct answer is Choice (A).

    When you factor, keep in mind that

    SVAB_0801

    That tells you when you have squares, the roots of those squares (which are given in the problem) can be factored out. In this problem,

    ASVAB_0802

  2. The correct answer is Choice (D).

    First, write out the two binomials with an x as the first term of each:

    ASVAB_0803

    Next, insert negative signs in each binominal, because when there's a positive sign in front of the constant term (here, 6), the signs in the binomials have to match each other. The middle term in the given expression is negative, so the signs in the binomials must both be negative.

    ASVAB_0804

    Then think of two numbers that multiply to get 6 but add to get 5. The only two numbers that work are 3 and 2:

    ASVAB_0805

    Last, you can check your work by distributing (or using the FOIL method):

    ASVAB_0806

    Because you have the original expression, you know you factored correctly.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Angie Papple Johnston joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear specialist, ready to tackle chemical weapons in a Level- A HAZMAT suit. She's currently the CBRN noncommissioned officer-in-charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C.

This article can be found in the category: