steps for factoring quadratic expressions

steps for factoring quadratic expressions

1. factoring out the greatest common factor

   • determine the GCF
     • divide all terms by the GCF

2. difference of squares

   • determine if the expanded form is a difference of squares
     • factor using the square root of each term

3. perfect square trinomial

   • determine if the expanded form is a perfect squares expression
     • factor using the square roots of each term

4. simple trinomial

   • factor out the GCF is necessary and determine the appropriate method of factoring
     • determine two numbers that multiply to ‘c’ and add to ‘b’
       • indicate the numbers from before in binomials with the appropriate variables

5. complex trinomials

   • must be a number before x squared
     • find two numbers whose product is AC and whose sum is B
       • break apart the middle term as a sum of the two factors from before
         • common factor the first two terms and the last two terms separately
           • common factor the expression that is found before
             • verify the solution by expanding