factor-splitting routine

noun
UK /ˈfæk.tə ˈsplɪt.ɪŋ ruːˈtiːn/
US /ˈfæk.tɚ ˈsplɪt.ɪŋ ruːˈtiːn/

A set of steps that breaks a number into smaller numbers that multiply together to make it.

The teacher showed us a factor-splitting routine to find all the factors of 24.

SYNONYMS

factorization procedurefactor-splitting methodfactorization algorithmfactor-splitting process

RELATED WORDS

factorizationprime factorizationdivisormultiplealgorithm

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A programming routine that splits a large number into its prime factors.

The code calls a factor-splitting routine before encrypting the message.

3. A classroom drill for practicing how to break numbers into factor pairs.

We do a quick factor-splitting routine at the start of every math lesson.

4. A step-by-step plan for dividing a polynomial into simpler factors.

The algebra worksheet introduces a factor-splitting routine for quadratic expressions.