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Mathematica® Teacher's Edition (2002)

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Factor

FilledSmallSquare Factor[poly] factors a polynomial over the integers.
FilledSmallSquare Factor[poly, Modulus->p] factors a polynomial modulo a prime p.
FilledSmallSquare Factor[poly, Extension->, , ... ] factors a polynomial allowing coefficients that are rational combinations of the algebraic numbers .

FilledSmallSquare Factor applies only to the top level in an expression. You may have to use Map, or apply Factor again, to reach other levels.
FilledSmallSquare Factor[poly, GaussianIntegers->True] factors allowing Gaussian integer coefficients.
FilledSmallSquare If any coefficients in poly are complex numbers, factoring is done allowing Gaussian integer coefficients.
FilledSmallSquare The exponents of variables need not be positive integers. Factor can deal with exponents that are linear combinations of symbolic expressions.
FilledSmallSquare When given a rational expression, Factor effectively first calls Together, then factors numerator and denominator.
FilledSmallSquare With the default setting Extension->None, Factor[poly] will treat algebraic number coefficients in poly like independent variables.
FilledSmallSquare Factor[poly, Extension->Automatic] will extend the domain of coefficients to include any algebraic numbers that appear in poly.
FilledSmallSquare See The Mathematica Book on the web: Section 1.4.3, Section 1.4.5 and Section 3.3.1.
FilledSmallSquare Implementation Notes: see Section A.9.5.
FilledSmallSquare See also: FactorTerms, Solve, Expand, Simplify, FactorInteger, TrigFactor.