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Common factorizations

From AoPSWiki

These are common factorizations that are used all the time. These should be memorized, but one should also know how they are derived.

Basic Factorizations

Vieta's/Newton Factorizations

These factorizations are useful for problem that could otherwise be solved by Newton sums or problems that give a polynomial, and ask a question about the roots. Combined with Vieta's formulas, these are excellent factorizations that show up everywhere.

  • (a+b+c)^2=a^2+b^2+c^2+2(ab+bc+ac)
  • (a+b+c)^3=a^3+b^3+c^3+3(a+b)(b+c)(a+c)

Other Resources

Looking for a challenging geometry text? Preparing for MATHCOUNTS or the AMC exams? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Geometry by Richard Rusczyk.
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