Factoring

ALWAYS START OFF WITH THE TWO FOLLOWING STEPS:

1) 2)

Collect like terms. Example: 2x2 + 3x 4 x2 + x + 9 = (2x2 x2) Common Factor. The greatest common factor of two or more whole

+ (3x + x) + (4 + 9) = x2 + 4x + 5
numbers is the largest whole number that divides evenly into each of the numbers. There are two ways to find the greatest common factor. The first method is to list all of the factors of each number, then list the common factors and choose the largest one. Example: 3x2+6-9 = 3(x2+2-3)

Identify what type of factoring problem it is. There are 4 types of factoring problems: Polynomial with 4 or more terms
Looks like: 2x3-x2+18x-9x Solved by: Grouping. Group terms together so there is a GCF in each group *signs*. GCF in each group and use the same bracket value in one set of brackets, and the remainder in the other brackets. Example: 2x3-x2 / +18x-9 x2(2x-1) 9(2x-1) (2x-1)(x2-9) Note: If the values in the brackets are not equal, than your factoring is done incorrectly or the polynomial cannot be factored.

3)

Simple Trinomial (x2+bx+c)

Looks like: x2+x-6 Solved by: Write down two sets of brackets. Put the square root of the first term in the first position of each bracket. Find two numbers that will multiply together to equal the last number and will add together to equal the middle number. Write these numbers in the 2nd position of the bracket.

Example: (x )(x ) (x+3)(x-2)

Complex (Tricky) Trinomial (ax2+bx+c)

Looks like: 3x2-7x-6 Solved by: Decomposition. Multiply the outer numbers (a and c). Find two numbers of (a*c) that will add to equal the middle number. Rewrite the trinomial to take the middle number out and put in the two new numbers. Factor by grouping and rearrange if you have to. Example: 3(6)=18, 1 18 *2 (-)9* 3x2+2x-9x-6 x(3x+2) -3(3x+2) (3x+2)(x-3)

Squares
Difference of squares: Looks like: two terms, x2-y2=(x+y)(x-y) Solved by: Square root both terms and put them in brackets. One set of brackets have a + and one has a Example: x2-16 (x+8)(x-8) Perfect Squares: Looks like: Trinomial with first and last terms that have a perfect square, x2+8x+16 Solved by: Square root the first and last terms of the trinomial. Put the two new terms in brackets using the sign of the middle term. Square the brackets. Example: (x+4)2