FACTORING POLYNOMIALS (PAGE 1)

STEP ONE: Factor out a GCF if possible

2 Terms 3 Terms 4 Terms

FACTOR BY GROUPING
a2 – b2
(If not factorable it is called Prime)
(The difference
1. Check to see if the polynomial
of two squares)
is Prime.
(a + b)(a – b) (example)

ax – bx2 + cx – d
3

1. Take the first two coefficients

and make a ratio (fraction).
a3 ± b3 (Make sure you have the correct sign!)

(The sum or difference of

2. Take the last two coefficients
two cubes) and make a ratio (fraction) with
them.
SUM… 3. Set them equal to each other
and cross multiply to see if they
(a+b)(a2 – ab + b2)
are proportional.
DIFFERENCE… 𝑎 𝑐
=
𝑏 𝑑
(a-b)(a2 + ab + b2)
Does ad = bc ?
To remember the order of
the signs follow this…

Same
NO. Then the polynomial cannot
Opposite be factored. It is Prime.
Always
Positive
YES. Then the polynomial is
See factorable. See Instructions
See instructions on how to next on factoring a polynomial in 4
factor two term polynomials. page terms.