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Factoring PDF

1. The steps for factoring a polynomial include factoring out common factors, checking if it can be rewritten as the difference or sum of squares or cubes, checking if it is a perfect square trinomial, and using trial and error or the AC method for trinomials. 2. Examples are provided for factoring by grouping, factoring the difference and sum of two squares and cubes, perfect square trinomials, and using the AC method. 3. Practice problems with answers are included to allow students to practice factoring various polynomial expressions.

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Aamir Baloch
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68 views3 pages

Factoring PDF

1. The steps for factoring a polynomial include factoring out common factors, checking if it can be rewritten as the difference or sum of squares or cubes, checking if it is a perfect square trinomial, and using trial and error or the AC method for trinomials. 2. Examples are provided for factoring by grouping, factoring the difference and sum of two squares and cubes, perfect square trinomials, and using the AC method. 3. Practice problems with answers are included to allow students to practice factoring various polynomial expressions.

Uploaded by

Aamir Baloch
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

FACTORING

Summary of steps for factoring a polynomial:


1. Factor out any common factors.
2. If the polynomial is a binomial, check whether it can be rewritten as the difference of two squares, the
difference of two cubes, or the sum of two cubes.
3. If the polynomial is a trinomial, check whether it is a perfect square trinomial. If not, factor by trial and error
(guessing), or apply the AC Method.
4. If the polynomial has more than three terms, try factoring by grouping.

Factoring Out a Common Factor:


Example 1:

Example 2:

The Difference of Two Squares:


Factoring formula:

Note: The sum of two squares is NOT factorable.

Example 1: break down in to squares


factor using formula

Example 2: break down in to squares


factor using formula

Example 3: break down in to squares


– factor using formula
factor using formula
simplify

The Difference and Sum of Two Cubes:

Factoring formulas:

Example 1: break down in to cubes


factor using formula
simplify

Example 2: break down in to cubes


factor using formula
simplify
Example 3:

Example 4:

Example 5:

Example 6:
( )

Example 7:

Example 8:

Perfect Square Trinomial:

Factoring formulas:

Example 1:

Example 2:

AC Method: For an in-depth description of this procedure see SLAC handout: AC Method.
Example 1:

factor out any common factors


apply factor by grouping

Example 2:

factor out any common factors


apply factor by grouping

2
Grouping:

Example 1:

Example 2:
( ) ( )

Practice Problems: Factor the following polynomials.


1.

2.

3. 5

4.

5.

6.

Answers:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Revised: Spring 2014 by Dr. Westbrook


STUDENT LEARNING ASSISTANCE CENTER (SLAC)
Texas State University-San Marcos

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