This is not a word problem, factoring can be accomplished from Algebrator, doyourmath.com and quickmath.com. For example:

factor an algebraic expression

Our program is designed to assist you in studying algebraic problem solutions no matter which course material your studies require. Similarly, we also maintain a free web solver at doyourmath.com. Like our desktop software, the solver at doyourmath.com is designed to provide solutions with both solution steps and explanations; unlike our desktop software, the solver at doyourmath.com has a web-accessible interface for your mobile devices.

Solutions at doyourmath.com are always free, solutions with solution steps are offered through a variety of subscription choices. The desktop software is a one-time purchase with the option of a CD backup.

To help you clearly understand our desktop software and how appropriate it may be for your needs, please use one of the following links to obtain a free trial of the program:

Windows: http://www.softmath.com/tr/alg51win-tr-en.exe

Mac: http://www.softmath.com/tr/alg51mac-tr-en.dmg

and for the documentation, you may wish to use this link (the contents of this document are also available through the Manual Button):

http://www.algebrasolver.com/AlgebratorManual_50.pdf

Usage issues commonly inquired about include entering exponents (see the flash demo titled "Simplifying exponential expressions"), radicals (see the flash demo titled "Simplifying radical expressions") and logarithms (see the flash demo titled "Entering logarithmic expressions"). To find the flash demos, use the drop-down menu "Help->Tutors".

In case of usage issues, if you wish to share a specific problem example then please do so. Email is a bit tough on algebraic expressions, so the best way to communicate via email is through the use of a saved workspace (drop-down menu "File->Save...") and/or images. A scanned image, screenshot or even a digital photo all work well, as they allow us to see the problem in its original context.

Finally, the following tips serve to resolve most issues faced by users of the software and will enhance your understanding of how to control the solutions provided by software no matter what level of Algebra you are studying:

1. visibility - High Visibility sometimes provides more detail than is productive, so work with Low or Medium Visibility first

2. flash demos, found under the drop-down menu "Help->Tutors" - if you do not have about 25-30 of these then please check for updates, as they are an excellent resource - to check for updates, use the drop-down menu "Help->Check for updates" - the demos are also available online, to play in your browser, at "http://www.softmath.com/demo.html".

3. Wizard button - for example, click the Wizard button and look under the category of "Line" to see the many useful templates for exploring linear equations

4. the drop-down menu "Solution->Settings" - in particular, notice the arithmetic settings (Real/Integer); if you are working a problem with real numbers in it and your setting is Integer then something like "0.123" is converted to "123/1000" as part of the solution process and this gets quite confusing to someone trying to learn a reasonable solution process; conversely, the fraction "1/4" will not be simplified to "0.25" if your setting for arithmetics is Integer

5. last, but not least - the Explain button, which provides the mathematical logic involved in the currently selected step