Factoring is the opposite of multiplying
When you are asked to "factor" an expression, you are being asked
to write the expression as the product (multiplication) of other expressions.
jeopardygame
You can think of factoring as playing the game-show "Jeopardy" where you are shown an answer and asked to find the question. In factoring, you are given the answer to a multiplication, and asked to find the numbers or expressions that were multiplied to get this answer. At times, finding factors can be a challenge! But don't panic! The more factoring problems you see, the more strategies you will acquire and the easier "the game" will become. So, get those spidey senses ready