3. GCF • Pull out the Greatest Common Factor If Possible
• Sum of Squares (DOES NOT FACTOR – It is Prime!!!)
Two Terms? • Difference of Squares (Formula)
• Sum of Cubes (Formula)
• Difference of Cubes (Formula)
• Quadratic Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c , a = 1
Three Terms? • Quadratic Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c , a ≠ 1
• Quadratic Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c , may factor into the square of a
binomial
Four Terms? •Factor by Grouping
Any Equation •Factor Completely: May need to use a combination of the above
Methods
4. GCF •Pull out the Greatest Common Factor If Possible
2 2
x 6x 3 1 x 6x 3
1 is the GCF
http://www.rock.uwc.edu/academics/tutoring/lsc/handouts/Factoring%20Summary.pdf
5. GCF •Pull out the Greatest Common Factor If Possible
3 2 4 5 3 2 3
6x y 18x y 6 x y 1 3xy
3 2
6 x y is the GCF
http://www.rock.uwc.edu/academics/tutoring/lsc/handouts/Factoring%20Summary.pdf
7. •Sum of Squares (DOES NOT FACTOR – It is Prime!!!)
Two Terms? •Difference of Squares (Formula)
•Sum of Cubes (Formula)
•Difference of Cubes (Formula)
http://www.rock.uwc.edu/academics/tutoring/lsc/handouts/Factoring%20Summary.pdf
8. •Sum of Squares (DOES NOT FACTOR – It is Prime!!!)
Two Terms? •Difference of Squares (Formula)
•Sum of Cubes (Formula)
•Difference of Cubes (Formula)
http://www.rock.uwc.edu/academics/tutoring/lsc/handouts/Factoring%20Summary.pdf
9. •Sum of Squares (DOES NOT FACTOR – It is Prime!!!)
Two Terms? •Difference of Squares (Formula)
•Sum of Cubes (Formula)
•Difference of Cubes (Formula)
http://www.rock.uwc.edu/academics/tutoring/lsc/handouts/Factoring%20Summary.pdf
10. Three Terms?
•Quadratic Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c , a = 1
•Quadratic Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c , a ≠ 1
•Quadratic Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c , may factor into the square of a binomial
http://www.rock.uwc.edu/academics/tutoring/lsc/handouts/Factoring%20Summary.pdf
11. Three Terms?
•Quadratic Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c , a = 1
•Quadratic Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c , a ≠ 1
•Quadratic Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c , may factor into the square of a binomial
http://www.rock.uwc.edu/academics/tutoring/lsc/handouts/Factoring%20Summary.pdf
12. Four Terms? •Factor by Grouping
http://www.rock.uwc.edu/academics/tutoring/lsc/handouts/Factoring%20Summary.pdf
13. Any Equation •Factor Completely: May need to use a combination of the above Methods
http://www.rock.uwc.edu/academics/tutoring/lsc/handouts/Factoring%20Summary.pdf