Factoring Polynomials

Question 1

Common Factoring

(1 term)

Answer 1

Find the GCF of all the terms in the polynomial.

Question 2

Difference of Squares

(2 terms)

Answer 2

When an expression can be viewed as the difference of two perfect squares, i.e. a²-b², then we can factor it as (a+b)(a-b).

Question 3

Perfect square trinomials

(3 terms)

Answer 3

an algebraic expression that is obtained by squaring a binomial expression.

Question 4

Simple Trinomials

(3 terms)

Answer 4

ax2 + bx + c

Question 5

Complex Trinomials

(3 terms)

Answer 5

A trinomial with a leading coefficient other than 1

6ax2 + bx + c

Question 6

Grouping to get a common factor

(4 terms)

Answer 6

With expressions that have four or more terms, the terms are grouped and then individually factored by a process called factoring by grouping.