Factoring Cubic

Polynomials
Mr. Jacobs
Algebra 1
 Find the Greatest Common Factor
Identify each term in the polynomial.
14x3 – 21x2
2•7•x•x•x – 3•7•x•x Identify the common factors in each
term

GCF = 7x2 The GCF is?

Use the distributive property to

14x3 – 21x2 = 7x2(2x – 3) factor out the GCF from each
term
 Factor Completely
Identify each term in the polynomial.
4x3 + 20x2 + 24x
Identify the common
2•2•x•x•x + 2•2•5•x•x + 2•2•2•3•x factors in each term

GCF = 4x The GCF is?

4x3 + 20x2 + 24x = 4x(x2 + 5x +6) Use the distributive

property to factor out
the GCF from each
4x (x + 2)(x + 3) term
 Factor by Grouping
x3 - 2x2 - 9x + 18 Group terms in the polynomial.
= (x3 - 2x2) + (- 9x + 18)
x•x•x-2•x•x + -3•3•x+2•3•3
= x2(x – 2) + -9(x – 2)
= (x – 2)(x2 – 9)
= (x – 2)(x – 3)(x + 3)
Identify a common
factor in each group
and factor
Now identify the common
factor in each term
Use the distributive property
Factor the difference of two squares
 Sum of Two Cubes Pattern
a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a2 - ab + b2)
Example
Now, use the
x3 + 27 = x3 + 3•3•3 = x3 + 33 pattern to factor

x3 + 33 = (x + 3)(x2 - 3x + 32)
= (x + 3)(x2 - 3x + 9)
So x3 + 27 = (x + 3)(x2 - 3x + 9)
 Difference of Two Cubes Pattern
a3 - b3 = (a - b)(a2 + ab + b2)
Example
Now, use the
n3 - 64 = n3 - 4•4•4 = n3 - 43 pattern to factor

n3 - 43 = (n - 4)(n2 + 4n + 42)
= (n - 4)(n2 + 4n + 16)
So n3 - 64 = (n - 4)(n2 + 4n + 16)