Factors and zeros are essentially the same thing. For example, if a factor form of an equation is (x-2)(x-1)(x+5), the zeros are x=2,1,-5. Division can help us factor polynomials because it gives us the zeros. The zeros can then be put into factors. The highest degree of the polynomial tells us how many zeros there will be. For example, if the equation is 3x^3+x^2+2x-5 then there will be three zeros.