What does factor mean in algebra?

Answer 1

When you factor, you take a common polynomial and multiply it by another polynomial (both with the same variable [i.e. both having "y"]) which when solved would create the polynomial in the problem.

1) -p2+8p-12
-(p-6)(p-2)

2) 2y2+15y+7
(y+7)(2y+1)

3) 6c2+7c+2
(2c+1)(3c+2)

4) -2b2-5b+12
-(b+4)(2b-3)