Factoring Methods

Question 1

Difference of Squares

Answer 1

Must be in the form a² - b²
Perfect Squares can be constants or polynomials
Factoring perfect Squares: a² - b² : (a + b) (a -b)

Question 2

Sum/Product (Inspection)

Answer 2

In the form of x² + bx + c
Must find two integers that have a sum of b and a product of c

Question 3

Decomposition

Answer 3

In the form of ax² + bx + c where a doesn’t equal 1
Must find two integers that have a sum of b and a product of ac
Use these numbers to decompose or break apart the middle term