Factoring a quadratic expression is the reverse of ___________ two polynomials.Responsessquaringsquaringmultiplyingmultiplyingdividingdividingadding

The correct response is multiplying.

Factoring a quadratic expression involves identifying two binomials that, when multiplied together, yield the original quadratic equation. This process is essentially the reverse of multiplication because, in multiplication, you take two expressions and combine them to form a single expression. In contrast, when factoring, you start with a single quadratic expression and decompose it back into its constituent binomial factors.

For example, if you have a quadratic expression such as $ax^2 + bx + c$, factoring it will give you two binomials, like $(px + q)(rx + s)$, where the product of these binomials returns you to the original quadratic expression. Hence, understanding this relationship is crucial for solving quadratic equations and simplifying expressions in algebra.