Factoring

General Trinomials
Trinomials in a form of
ax2 + bx + c
Last Assignment
Factor completely.
1. x2 + 10x + 9 = (x + 9)(x + 1)
2. b2 + 7b – 8 = (b + 8)(b - 1)
3. 3ce2 + 9ce – 12c = 3c(e -1)(e+4)
4. f4 – 8f2 + 7 = (f2 - 1)(f2 - 7)
5. g2 + 10g + 24 = (g + 6)(g + 4)
 Factoring Polynomials
Factors completely different types of polynomials:
Polynomials with common monomial factor
Difference of two squares,
Sum and difference of two cubes,
Perfect square trinomials
General Trinomials
Review of FOIL Method:
Remember the FOIL Method?
Try the FOIL Method on (3x+5)(2x-3).

How is the coefficient of the first term (a)

related to 3 and 2?
How is the coefficient of the middle term
related to 3, 2, 5 and (-3)?
Factoring Trinomials: (ax2 + bx + c)
Since general trinomials came from performing
FOIL Method to general binomials:
pqx2 + (qr+ps)x + rs = (px+r)(qx+s)
Example: 6x2 + x -15 = 3x(2x) + (-9x+10x) + (5)(-3)
= (3x)(2x) + 3x(-3) + 5(2x) + (5)(-3) = (3x+5)(2x-3)
Therefore, the factoring trinomials of form ax 2 + bx + c
is (px+r) and (qx+s), where pq = a; qr+ps = b; and
rs = c.
Cues for finding p and q:
Look at the a term first.
If the a term is a positive number, then the factors
of a will both be positive or both be negative. In
other words, p and q will have the same sign.
If the a term is a negative number, then one factor
of a will be positive, and one factor of c will be
negative. Either p or q will be negative, but not both.
Cues for finding r and s:
Look at the c term second.
If the c term is a positive number, then the factors
of c will both be positive or both be negative. In
other words, r and s will have the same sign.
If the c term is a negative number, then one factor
of c will be positive, and one factor of c will be
negative. Either r or s will be negative, but not both.
Factoring Trinomials: (ax2 + bx + c)
Factor completely.
1. 3x2 + 7xy + 4y2
2. -2b2 + 11b – 5
3. 4d2 - 6de - 10e2
4. 3f4 – 10f2 + 3
5. 5g2 + 19g + 12
Any questions?
Any suggestions?
Assignment
Factor completely.
1. 5x2 - 8x + 3
2. -3b4 + b2 +2
3. 2c2 - 9cd + 9d2
4. 8ae2 + 10ae + 2a
5. 4f4 – 13gf2 + 9g2
References:
https://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/DevelopmentalMath/
COURSE_TEXT2_RESOURCE/U12_L2_T1_text_final.html