Factoring Algebraic Expressions

In the last lesson, its all about solving special products, Now what we will do is to factor out special
products, to return to their factored form. The first one is-

1. Perfect Square Trinomial
On the last lesson, A square of a Binomial results into a Perfect square trinomial, Now what we will
do now, is to Turn the Perfect square trinomial go back into a Square of a Binomial.
Ex: a
2
+2ab+b
2
= (a+b)
2
where the trinomial having the 1
st
term and the 3
rd
term as perfect squares.
How to factor this out: Get the square roof of the first and third term then copy the sign of the
middle term.
Example: x
2
-10x+25 = Square root first term- x
Square root Last term- 5
Then copy the sign of the middle term which is (-) = (x-5)
2
2. Difference of Two Squares
The Product of sum and difference of two binomials is difference of two squares (a
2
-b
2
)
(a+b) (a-b) different sign at the middle term.
3. Square of a Trinomial
To factor a Square of a trinomial, which is 6 terms, ex: 16a
2
+4b
2
+9-16ab-24a-12b
Arrange them:
(16a
2
-16ab+4b
2
) (-24a+12b) +9
4(4a
2
-4ab+b
2
) -12(2a-b)+9
The left side is on a PST form. So factor the left side
4(2a-b)
2
-12(2a-b)+9
Let x= 2a-b
4x
2
-12x+9
= (2x-3)
2
= [2(2a-b)-3]
2

(4a-2b-3)
2
is the answer

4. General Trinomial
Finally, factoring a general trinomial uses Sum and product. Which is multiply the numerical
coefficients of the first term and the last term, and find the factors of product that when you
add, results into the middle term.
For example: 8x
2
+2x-3
When you multiply the coefficients first and last term, it will result into -24 and the factors of -24
that when you add is equal to 2 is (6 and -4) replace the middle term with the 2 factors
8x
2
+6x -4x-3
GCF: 2x(4x+3) -1(4x+3)
(2x-1) (4x+3)