Factoring Trinomials

MultiplyingBinomials(FOIL)
Multiply. (x+3)(x+2)
Distribute.

xx+x2+3x+32
F
O
I
L
= x2+ 2x + 3x + 6
= x2+ 5x + 6

MultiplyingBinomials(Tiles)
Multiply. (x+3)(x+2)
Using Algebra Tiles, we have:
x +

x2

= x2 + 5x + 6

FactoringTrinomials(Tiles)
How can we factor trinomials such as
x2 + 7x + 12 back into binomials?
One method is to again use algebra tiles:
1) Start with x2.
2) Add seven x tiles
(vertical or horizontal, at
least one of each) and

twelve 1 tiles.

x2

FactoringTrinomials(Tiles)
How can we factor trinomials such as
x2 + 7x + 12 back into binomials?
One method is to again use algebra tiles:
1) Start with x2.
2) Add seven x tiles
(vertical or horizontal, at
least one of each) and

twelve 1 tiles.
3) Rearrange the tiles
until they form a
rectangle!

x2

Weneedtochangethextilesso
the1tileswillfillinarectangle.

FactoringTrinomials(Tiles)
How can we factor trinomials such as
x2 + 7x + 12 back into binomials?
One method is to again use algebra tiles:
1) Start with x2.
2) Add seven x tiles
(vertical or horizontal, at
least one of each) and

twelve 1 tiles.
3) Rearrange the tiles
until they form a
rectangle!

x2

Stillnotarectangle.

FactoringTrinomials(Tiles)
How can we factor trinomials such as
x2 + 7x + 12 back into binomials?
One method is to again use algebra tiles:
1) Start with x2.
2) Add seven x tiles
(vertical or horizontal, at
least one of each) and

twelve 1 tiles.
3) Rearrange the tiles
until they form a
rectangle!

x2

Arectangle!!!

FactoringTrinomials(Tiles)
How can we factor trinomials such as
x2 + 7x + 12 back into binomials?
One method is to again use algebra tiles:
4) Top factor:
The # of x2 tiles = xs
The # of x and 1
columns = constant.
5) Side factor:
The # of x2 tiles = xs
The # of x and 1
rows = constant.

+4

x2

x2 + 7x + 12 = ( x + 4)( x + 3)

FactoringTrinomials(Method2)
Again, we will factor trinomials such as
x2 + 7x + 12 back into binomials.
This method does not use tiles, instead we look
for the pattern of products and sums!
Ifthex2termhasnocoefficient(otherthan1)...

x2 + 7x + 12
Step1:Listallpairsof
numbersthatmultiplyto
equaltheconstant,12.

12=112
=26
=34

FactoringTrinomials(Method2)
x2 + 7x + 12
Step2:Choosethepairthat
addsuptothemiddle
coefficient.
Step3:Fillthosenumbers
intotheblanksinthe
binomials:

12=112
=26
=34

( x + 3 )( x + 4 )

x2 + 7x + 12 = ( x + 3)( x + 4)

FactoringTrinomials(Method2)
Factor. x2 + 2x - 24
This time, the constant is negative!
Step1:Listallpairsof
numbersthatmultiplytoequal
theconstant,24.(Toget24,
onenumbermustbepositiveand
onenegative.)

24=124,124
=212,212
=38,38
=46,46

Step2:Whichpairaddsupto2?
Step3:Writethebinomial
factors.

x2 + 2x - 24 = ( x - 4)( x + 6)

FactoringTrinomials(Method2*)
Factor. 3x2 + 14x + 8
This time, the x2 term DOES have a coefficient (other than 1)!
Step1:Multiply38=24

(theleadingcoefficient&constant).

Step2:Listallpairsof
numbersthatmultiplytoequal
thatproduct,24.
Step3:Whichpairaddsupto14?

24=124
=212
=38
=46

FactoringTrinomials(Method2*)
Factor. 3x2 + 14x + 8
Step4:Writetemporary
factorswiththetwonumbers.

2
(x+)(x+)
12
3
3

Step5:Puttheoriginal
leadingcoefficient(3)under
bothnumbers.

2
(x+)(x+)
12
3
3

Step6:Reducethefractions,if
possible.

2
(x+)(x+)
4
3

Step7:Movedenominatorsin
frontofx.

(3x+2)(x+4)

FactoringTrinomials(Method2*)
Factor. 3x2 + 14x + 8
Youshouldalwayscheckthefactorsbydistributing,especially
sincethisprocesshasmorethanacoupleofsteps.

(3x+2)(x+4) =3xx+3x4+2x+24
=3x2+14x+8

3x2 + 14x + 8 = (3x + 2)(x + 4)

FactoringTrinomials(Method2*)
Factor 3x2 + 11x + 4
This time, the x2 term DOES have a coefficient (other than 1)!
Step1:Multiply34=12

(theleadingcoefficient&constant).

Step2:Listallpairsof
numbersthatmultiplytoequal
thatproduct,12.

12=112
=26
=34

Step3:Whichpairaddsupto11?
Noneofthepairsaddupto11,thistrinomial
cantbefactored;itisPRIME.

FactorTheseTrinomials!
Factor each trinomial, if possible. The first four do NOT have
leading coefficients, the last two DO have leading coefficients.
Watch out for signs!!
1) t2 4t 21
2) x2 + 12x + 32
3) x2 10x + 24
4) x2 + 3x 18
5) 2x2 + x 21
6) 3x2 + 11x + 10

Solution#1:
1)Factorsof21:

t2 4t 21

121,121
37,37

2)Whichpairaddsto(4)?
3)Writethefactors.

t2 4t 21 = (t + 3)(t - 7)

Solution#2:

x2 + 12x + 32

132
216
48

1)Factorsof32:

2)Whichpairaddsto12?
3)Writethefactors.

x2 + 12x + 32 = (x + 4)(x + 8)

Solution#3:
124
212
38
46

1)Factorsof32:

2)Whichpairaddsto10?

3)Writethefactors.

x2 - 10x + 24
124
212
38
46
Noneofthemaddsto(10).For
thenumberstomultiplyto+24
andaddto10,theymustbothbe
negative!

x2 - 10x + 24 = (x - 4)(x - 6)

Solution#4:
1)Factorsof18:

x2 + 3x - 18

118,118
29,29
36,36

2)Whichpairaddsto3?
3)Writethefactors.

x2 + 3x - 18 = (x - 3)(x + 18)

Solution#5:
1)Multiply2(21)=42;
listfactorsof42.
2)Whichpairaddsto1?
3)Writethetemporaryfactors.
4)Put2underneath.

2x2 + x - 21
142,142
221,221
314,314
67,67
(x6)(x+7)
2
2
3

5)Reduce(ifpossible).

(x6)(x+7)
2
2

6)Movedenominator(s)in
frontofx.

(x3)(2x+7)

2x2 + x - 21 = (x - 3)(2x + 7)

Solution#6:
1)Multiply310=30;
listfactorsof30.
2)Whichpairaddsto11?
3)Writethetemporaryfactors.
4)Put3underneath.

3x2 + 11x + 10
130
215
310
56
(x+5)(x+6)
3
3
2

5)Reduce(ifpossible).

(x+5)(x+6)
3
3

6)Movedenominator(s)in
frontofx.

(3x+5)(x+2)

3x2 + 11x + 10 = (3x + 5)(x + 2)