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Factoring Polynomials
A presentation for the
greatest Algebra I kids at RJR
By Mrs. Sexton
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Rules
Step by Step
Easy Problems Medium Problems
x 2 14 x 24 4my 20m 3 py 15 p
3x 3 9 x 2 8s 2 200t 2
4 s 2 16 6 y2 5y 6
Hard Problems Word Problems
6 x 3 15 x 2 9 x Division of polynomial by monomial
2 x 32
8 Find dimensions when area is given
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• Is there a GCF?
– Yes
• Factor as the product of the GCF and one other factor—i.e.
GCF•(the other factor). Look at the other factor and go to the
next step below with it.
– No
• Go the the next step.
• Is it a binomial?
– Yes
• Is it a difference of two squares? (a2-b2)
– Yes—Factor as (a+b)(a-b).
– No—It can’t be factored any more.
– No
• Go to the next step.
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• Is it a trinomial?
– Yes
• Do you recognize it as a pattern for a perfect square
trinomial? (a2+2ab+b2) or (a2-2ab+b2)
– Yes—Factor as (a+b)2 or (a-b)2
– No—Go to next step.
• Use the ac and b pattern to look for factors.
• Can you find factors of ac that add up to b?
– Yes—Rewrite the equation with those factors, group, and
factor.
– No—You can’t do anything else. If there’s no GCF, it’s a
prime polynomial.
– No
• Go to the next step.
• Is it a four-term polynomial?
– Yes
• Are there two sets of terms that you can group
together that have a common factor?
– Yes—Group and factor.
– No—If it doesn’t have a GCF, it’s a prime polynomial.
– No
• If it doesn’t have a GCF, it’s a prime polynomial.
NOTE:
At EVERY step along the way, you
must look at the factors that you get to
see if they can be factored any more.
Practice
Factor completely.
x 14 x 24
2
Is there a GCF?
It’s a trinomial.
x 14 x 24
2
x 12 x 2 x 24
2 Group.
( x 12 x) (2 x 24) Factor
2 out the GCF
from each group.
x( x 12) 2( x 12) Write the two factors.
( x 12)( x 2) Neither one of these factors can be
broken down any more, so you’re done.
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Factor completely
3x 9 x
3 2
Is there a GCF?
Yes. Write the GCF first and the remaining factor after it.
3x ( x 3)
2
Look at the remaining factor. (x-3)
3x ( x 3)
2
is the completely factored form.
Factor completely
4 s 162
Is there a GCF?
Yes. Write the GCF first and the remaining factor after it.
4( s 4) 2
Look at the remaining factor. (s2-4)
4( s 2)( s 2)
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Factor completely
No. There is no single factor that goes into all four of the terms.
Is it a binomial, trinomial, or four-term polynomial?
It’s a four-term polynomial. Factor by grouping.
Factor completely
8s 200t
2 2 Is there a GCF?
Yes. Write the GCF first and the remaining factor after it.
8( s 25t )
2 2
Look at the remaining factor. (s2-25t2)
Factor completely
6y 5y 6
2
Is there a GCF?
6y 9y 4y 6
2
Group.
(6 y 9 y) (4 y 6)
2 Factor out the GCF
from each group.
3 y (2 y 3) 2(2 y 3) Write the two factors.
(2 y 3)(3 y 2)
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Factor completely
6 x 15 x 9 x
3 2 Is there a GCF?
Yes. Write the GCF first and the remaining factor after it.
3x(2 x 5 x 3)
2 Look at the remaining factor.
(2x 2 5x 3)
Is it a binomial, trinomial, or four-term polynomial?
It’s a trinomial.
3x[2 x 6 x 1x 3]
2 Group. Remember to change the –3 to a
+3 because of the minus sign in the
grouping!!
Factor completely
2 x 32
8 Is there a GCF?
Yes. Write the GCF first and the remaining factor after it.
2( x 16)
8 Look at the remaining factor.
( x8 16)
Is it a binomial, trinomial, or four-term polynomial?
It’s a binomial. Is it a difference of two squares? (a2-b2)
Yes. x8 is a square (x4 • x4) and 16 is a square
(4 • 4). Factor as (x4 + 4)(x4 - 4).
So far we have 2(x4 + 4)(x4 - 4).
(Please continue—not done yet!!)
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(x4 +4)
Is this binomial a difference of two squares? (a2-b2)
No. It can’t be broken down. So, we have to keep this factor.
What about the other binomial?
(x4 -4)
Is this binomial a difference of two squares? (a2-b2)
2 x 32
8
2( x 16)8
Word Problem #1
This question is
12 x 3
8 x 2
16 x 12 x 3
8 x 2
16 x
asking you to find
the OTHER 4x 4x 4x 4x
FACTOR after you
take out the greatest
2x 4
2
common factor of 4x. 3x
Word Problem #2
18 x 3x 28
2
Is there a GCF?
18 x 24 x 21x 28
2
Group.
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