Factoring Polynomials

1. Factoring Difference of two squares

Step 1. Find the square root of each term.

Step 2. Separate into parenthesis.

Step 3. Sign one of each.

2. Factoring perfect square trinomial

Step 1. Factor out the GCF.

Step 2. Write each term as a perfect cube.
Step 3. The result must be equal to the given.
3. Factoring sum and difference of two squares

Step 1. Find the GCF of the term.

Step 2. Find a number that can be multiply to the cube root.
Step 3. The result must be equal to the given.

4. Factoring Greatest Common Monomial Factor

Step 1. Determine the greatest common factor of the given terms.

Step 2. Factor out (or divide out) the greatest common factor from each term.

5. Factoring Quadratic Trinomials (x² + bx + c)

Step 1. Focus on the last term and find a numbers that can be multiply or that last term.
Step 2. Make sure that the answer is equal to the last term.

6. Factoring Quadratic Trinomials (ax² + b + c)

 Step 1. Focus on the first and last term and find a number that can be multiply in that terms or in
short find the GCF and factor it.
Step 2. Multiply the result after you find the GCF.
Step 3. Make sure the answer must be equal to the middle term.
Step 4. If its wrong, try it again until you find the correct answer.
Step 5. Use the cross line and separate it by using parenthesis.

7. Factoring by grouping

Step 1. If you will use the first method you need to use the FOIL method.
Step 2. If you will use the second method you need to use the chunking method.

Chunking Method

Step 1. Copy the given but separate it by using parenthesis and copy the middle sign.
Step 2. Find the common variable and copy the left behind variables in the first term and second term.
Step 3. Copy the left behind variable and copy the common variable.
Step 4. Copy again the left behind variable and factor out that can be factor out further.