Zach Paul Start

Step 1 Is there a Greatest Common Factor? YesNo Example

Step 1 Continued Factor out the Greatest Common Factor. Next Step Last Step Example

Step 2 How many terms are in the polynomial? 234 or more Last Step Example

Step 3 Is the leading coefficient one? YesNo Last Step Example

Step 3 continued Find factors of third term that add up to the middle term. Next Last Step Example

Step 3 continued Follow these steps:  Multiply the leading coefficient and the constant  Find factors of that number that add up to the middle coefficient  Rewrite the middle term using these factors  Factor by using Grouping Method Next Last Step Example

Step 3 Is there a difference of two squares? Yes No Last Step Example

Step 3 continued Use the Sum and Difference pattern to finish factoring. Next Last Step Example

Step 3 Use the Grouping Method to finish factoring the polynomial. Next Last Step Example

Congratulations You have factored the polynomial as much as possible. Restart

Greatest Common Factor Examples With a GCF:Without a GCF. Has a GCF of Has no common factors other than 1 Back to Problem

How to Factor Out a Greatest Common Factor Back to Problem Take the GCF and factor (divide each term by that number).

Examples with Different Numbers of Terms Back to Problem 2 Terms3 Terms 4 Terms

Leading Coefficient Examples Back to Problem Leading Coefficient of 1 Other than 1

Factoring Example Back to Problem Find factors of last term (15) that add up to middle term (8). (these would be 5 and 3)

Factoring Example Back to Problem  Multiply the leading coefficient and the constant (12 X 1)  Find factors of that number that add up to the middle coefficient (4 and 3)  Rewrite the middle term using these factors  Factor by using Grouping MethodGrouping Method

Squares Example Back to Problem difference Perfect square Perfect Square

Sum and Difference Back to Problem Use the SUM and DIFFERENCE of the two squares.

Grouping Method Back to Problem Group Terms Factor Each Group Use Distributive Property

Grouping Method Back to Example Group Terms Factor Each Group Use Distributive Property