HANDOUT IN ADVANCED MATHEMATICS (PERFECT SQUARE TRINOMIAL – A REVIEW)

Perfect square trinomials are algebraic expressions with three terms that are created by multiplying a
binomial to itself. EXAMPLE A: (x + 3)2 = (x + 3) (x + 3) = x2 + 6x + 9

COMPLETING THE Perfect Square Trinomial in the form x2 + Bx +__

When the coefficient of x2 is 1, then to make the quadratic a perfect square trinomial, we must
add a square number. The square number to be added is the square of half of coefficient of x.
EXAMPLE B: Fill in the blank to create a Perfect Square Trinomial.
1. x2 + 12x + _____
Since 1/2 of 12 is 6, and square of 6 is 36, then the last term is 36.
2
2. x + 8x + _____
Since 1/2 of 8 is 4, and square of 4 is 16, then the last term is 16.
2
3. x - 16x + _____
Since 1/2 of 16 is 8, and square of 8 is 64, then the last term is 64.
2
4. x - 5x + _____
Since 1/2 of 5 is 5/2, and square of 5/2 is 25/4, then the last term is 25/4.
2
5. x + 11x + _____
Since 1/2 of 11 is 11/2, and square of 11/2 is 121/4, then the last term is 121/4.

FACTORING THE PERFECT SQUARE TRINOMIALS (PST)

in the form x2 + Bx + C
The factors of a Perfect Square Trinomial are the square of (x + half –that—coefficient of x).
EXAMPLE C: Factor – out the following Perfect Square Trinomials:
1. x2 + 12x + 36
Since 1/2 of 12 is 6, then the factors are (x+6) (x+6) or (x+6)2.
2. x2 + 8x + 16
Since 1/2 of 8 is 4, then the factors are (x+4) (x+4) or (x+4)2.
3. x2 - 16x + 64
Since 1/2 of (-16) is (-8), then the factors are (x – 8) (x – 8) or (x – 8)2.
4. x2 - 5x + 25/4
Since 1/2 of – 5 is – 5/2, then the factors are (x – 5/2)2.
5. x2 + 11x + 121/4
Since 1/2 of 11 is 11/2, then the factors are (x + 11/2)2.

EXERCISES: Complete each Perfect Square Trinomial, then factor-out:

1. x2 + 28x + _____ 4. x2 – 14x + _______
The factors are: ____________ The factors are: ___________
2. x2 + 10x + _____ 5. x2 + 9x + _______
The factors are: ____________ The factors are: ___________
3. x2 – 18x + _____ 6. x2 – 13x + _______
The factors are: ____________ The factors are: ___________