Steps for Factoring Quadratic Expressions

Steps for Factoring Quadratic Expressions

1. SIMPLE TRINOMIAL

   • find two numbers that multiply to give the constant term of the quadratic expression and add to give the coefficient of the linear term
     • write the quadratic expression as the sum of these two terms
       • factor by grouping

2. COMPLEX TRINOMIAL

   • find two numbers that multiply to give the product of the leading coefficient and the constant term, and add to give the coefficient of the linear term
     • then. write the quadratic expression as the sum of these two terms
       • factor by grouping using the fact that the sum of two like terms can be written as the product of their sum and difference

3. PERFECT SQUARE

   • wirte expression in the form a^2-2ab + b^2
     • then factor it as (a+b)^2 or (a-b)^2

4. GREATEST COMMON FACTOR (GFC)

   • first, identify the greatest common the factor of all terms in the expression
     • then, divide each term by the greatest common factor
       • finally, write the expression as a product of the greatest common factor and then simplified the expression is obtained by dividing each term by the greatest common factor

5. DIFFERENCE OF SQUARE

   • Write the expression in the form a^2-b^2
     • then , factor as (a+b)(a-b)