Factoring Polynomials

Grouping, Trinomials, Binomials,

GCF & Solving Equations
 Factor by Grouping
 When polynomials contain four terms, it
is sometimes easier to group like terms in
order to factor.
 Your goal is to create a common factor.
 You can also move terms around in the
polynomial to create a common factor.
 Practice makes you better in recognizing
common factors.
Factoring Four Term
Polynomials
 Factor by Grouping
Example 1:
 FACTOR: 3xy - 21y + 5x – 35
 Factor the first two terms:
3xy - 21y = 3y (x – 7)
 Factor the last two terms:
+ 5x - 35 = 5 (x – 7)
 The green parentheses are the same so it’s the
common factor
Now you have a common factor
(x - 7) (3y + 5)
 Factor by Grouping
Example 2:
 FACTOR: 6mx – 4m + 3rx – 2r
 Factor the first two terms:
6mx – 4m = 2m (3x - 2)
 Factor the last two terms:
+ 3rx – 2r = r (3x - 2)
 The green parentheses are the same so it’s the
common factor
Now you have a common factor
(3x - 2) (2m + r)
 Factor by Grouping
Example 3:
 FACTOR: 15x – 3xy + 4y –20
 Factor the first two terms:
15x – 3xy = 3x (5 – y)
 Factor the last two terms:
+ 4y –20 = 4 (y – 5)
 The green parentheses are opposites so change
the sign on the 4
- 4 (-y + 5) or – 4 (5 - y)
 Now you have a common factor
(5 – y) (3x – 4)
Factoring Trinomials
 Factoring Trinominals
1. When trinomials have a degree of “2”,
they are known as quadratics.
2. We learned earlier to use the
“diamond” to factor trinomials that had
a “1” in front of the squared term.
x2 + 12x + 35
(x + 7)(x + 5)
 More Factoring Trinomials

3. When there is a coefficient larger than

“1” in front of the squared term, we can
use a modified diamond or square to
find the factors.

3. Always remember to look for a GCF

before you do ANY other factoring.
 More Factoring Trinomials

5.Let’s try this example

3x2 + 13x + 4
Make a box

Write the factors of the first term.

Write the factors of the last term.
Multiply on the diagonal and add to see if
you get the middle term of the
trinomial. If so, you’re done!
Difference of Squares
 Difference of Squares
 When factoring using a difference of
squares, look for the following three things:
– only 2 terms
– minus sign between them
– both terms must be perfect squares
 If all 3 of the above are true, write two
( ), one with a + sign and one with a – sign :
( + ) ( - ).
 Try These
 1. a2 – 16
 2. x2 – 25
 3. 4y2 – 16
 4. 9y2 – 25
 5. 3r2 – 81
 6. 2a2 + 16
Perfect Square Trinomials
 Perfect Square Trinomials
 When factoring using perfect square
trinomials, look for the following three
things:
– 3 terms
– last term must be positive
– first and last terms must be perfect squares
 If all three of the above are true, write one (
)2 using the sign of the middle term.
 Try These
 1. a2 – 8a + 16
 2. x2 + 10x + 25
 3. 4y2 + 16y + 16
 4. 9y2 + 30y + 25
 5. 3r2 – 18r + 27
 6. 2a2 + 8a - 8
Factoring Completely
 Factoring Completely
 Now that we’ve learned all the types of
factoring, we need to remember to use them all.

 Whenever it says to factor, you must break

down the expression into the smallest possible
factors.

 Let’s review all the ways to factor.

 Types of Factoring
1. Look for GCF first.
2. Count the number of terms:
a) 4 terms – factor by grouping
b) 3 terms -
1. look for perfect square trinomial
2. if not, try diamond or box
c) 2 terms -
look for difference of squares
 If any ( ) still has an exponent of 2 or more, see if you
can factor again.
Solving Equations by Factoring
Steps to Solve Equations by Factoring

1. We know that an equation must be

solved for the unknown.
2. Up to now, we have only solved
equations with a degree of 1.
2x + 8 = 4x +6
-2x + 8 = 6
-2x = -2
x=1
Steps to Solve Equations by Factoring

3. If an equation has a degree of 2 or

higher, we cannot solve it until it has
been factored.
4. You must first get “0” on one side of the
= sign before you try any factoring.
5. Once you have “0” on one side, use all
your rules for factoring to make 2 ( ) or
factors.
Steps to Solve Equations by Factoring
6. Next, set each factor = 0 and solve for the
unknown.
x2 + 12x = 0 Factor GCF
x(x + 12) = 0
(set each factor = 0, & solve)
x=0 x + 12 = 0
x = - 12
7. You now have 2 answers, x = 0 and x = -12.