Uncover the mystery

of factoring complex
trinomials!
 Tic-Tac-But No Toe
Part 1: In the following tic tac’s there are four numbers. Find the
relationship that the two numbers on the right have with the two
numbers on the left.
-90 10 36 -6 -36 -6 -30 -6

1 -9 -12 -6 0 6 -1 5

-49 7 120 30 -81 9 -24 -6

0 -7 34 4 0 -9 -10 -4

-72 24 16 4 -6 -3 49 -7

21 -3 8 4 -1 2 -14 -7

1. What did you find?

2. Did it follow the pattern every time?
 Tic-Tac-But No Toe
Part 2: Use your discoveries from Part 1 to complete
the following Tic Tac’s.
9 16 18 6 -35

10 -10 9 7 2

4 45 6 -3 -15

-5 14 -5 -2 2

72 -6 -72 -36 -22

-38 -5 -1 5 9

3. Did your discovery work in every case?

4. Can you give any explanation for this?
 Finally!
Factoring with a Frenzy!
 Arrange the expression in descending (or
ascending) order. ax2 + bx + c = 0
 Be sure the leading coefficient is positive.
 Factor out the GCF, if necessary.
 Multiply the coefficients “a” and “c” and put the
result in quadrant II of the Tic Tac.
 Put the coefficient “b” in quadrant III of the Tic
Tac.
 Play the game! Just like the previous problems.
(Find the relationship!)
 Once you have completed
your Tic Tac–
WHERE’S the ANSWER?
 Use the “a” coefficient as the numerator of
two fractions. Use the results in quadrants I
and IV as the two denominators.
 Reduce the fractions.
 The numerator is your coefficient for x in your
binominal and the denominator is the
constant term.
 EXAMPLE: If you get the fractions ½ and
-3/5, your answer would be (x + 2) (3x – 5).
 EXAMPLES
X2 – X - 12
-12 ? What 2 numbers
complete the Tic Tac?
-1 ?

Since a = 1, put a 1 in for the

-12 3 numerator in two fractions.
You found 3 and -4. These are the
-1 -4
denominators for the two fractions.
Your fractions are 1/3 and –1/4

Your answer is (x + 3) (x – 4).

 EXAMPLES
3X2 + 5X = 12
*Remember to -36 ? What 2 numbers
re-write in complete the Tic Tac?
standard form 5 ?
3X2 + 5X - 12
Since a = 3, put a 3 in for the
-36 9 numerator in two fractions.
You found 9 and -4. These are the
5 -4
denominators for the two fractions.
Your fractions are 3/9 = 1/3 and –3/4
Your answer is (x + 3) (3x – 4).
 EXAMPLES
2X2 + 8X - 64
*Remember that
sometimes a GCF -32 ? What 2 numbers
should be factored complete the Tic Tac?
4 ?
out before beginning.
2(X2 + 4X – 32)
Since a = 1, put a 1 in for the
-32 8 numerator in two fractions.
You found 8 and -4. These are the
4 -4 denominators for the two fractions.
Your fractions are 1/8 and –1/4.
Your answer is 2 (x + 8) (x – 4).
 EXAMPLES
1/2X2 + 1/2X - 6
*Remember that
sometimes a GCF -12 ? What 2 numbers
should be factored complete the Tic Tac?
1 ?
out before beginning.
1/2(X2 + X – 12)
Since a = 1, put a 1 in for the
-12 -3 numerator in two fractions.
1 4 You found -3 and 4. These are the
denominators for the two fractions.
Your fractions are –1/3 and 1/4.
Your answer is ½ (x – 3) (x + 4).