For this case, suppose we have a generic polynomial in its standard form:
\(f (x) = ax ^ 2 + bx + c\)
When we factor the polynomial, we rewrite it in the following way:
\(f (x) = (x-x1) (x-x2)\)
Where,
x1, x2: are the roots of the polynomial.
Therefore, the distributive property is undone.
Remember that the distributive property is:
\(a (b + c) = ab + ac\)
Answer:
A mathematical operation that you are trying to undo when you factor a polynomial is:
a. Distributive property
