Factoring

Factoring Techniques

1. Factoring Out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

Steps:

  1. Identify the greatest common factor.
  2. Factor out the GCF from all terms.

2. Factoring Trinomials

Steps:

  1. Find two numbers that multiply to give the constant term and add to give the middle term.
  2. Rewrite the trinomial using these numbers and factor by grouping.

3. Difference of Squares

Formula:

a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b)

Example: Factoring a Trinomial

Example 1: Factor x² + 5x + 6

            1. Find two numbers that multiply to 6 and add to 5 → (2,3)
            2. Rewrite: x² + 2x + 3x + 6
            3. Factor by grouping: (x + 2)(x + 3)
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