Factoring Quadratic

Polynomials
March 8, 2010
Homework:
#83 - Factoring polynomials 3
 Now we're going to learn how to factor a polynomial with a
leading coefficient.
What
hat do we know about the first and last terms?
·They are products of the first and last terms
of the two binomials.

2
3x – 8x + 5
Steps:
1) Find the factors of the first and last terms.
The factors of 3 are 1 and 3, and the factors of 5 are 1 and 5.

2) Set up all possibilities and FOIL to check at least 2.

The two possibilities in this case are (3x - 5)(x - 1) and (3x - 1)(x - 5).
(3x - 5)(x - 1) = 3x - 8x + 5 and (3x - 1)(x - 5) = 3x - 16x + 5.
2 2

3) Box your final answer.

The factors that result in the original polynomial are (3x - 5)(x - 1).

4) FOIL the final answer as your check step.

Reconnaissance: Factoring polynomials

5x - 18x - 8
2

Click here to see a video

 Training mission: Factoring polynomials

Factor 22x + 5x - 3
2
Factor 9x – 37x + 4
2
 Training mission: Factoring polynomials
2 2
2x + 11x - 6 10x + 24x + 8

Steps:
1) Find the factors of the first and last terms.
2) Set up all possibilities and check at least 2.
3) Box your final answer.
4) FOIL the final answer as your check step.
Solo mission: Silent Ball

1) 3x2 + 5x
5 +2
2) 7x2 + 16x
16 + 4
3) 5x2 – 17x
17 – 6
4) 2x2 + x – 3

Early finishers: Write your own, more complex

problems and have a teammate factor.