1. Factoring by Grouping Mastery Group 5

2. What does it mean to group? In math, grouping means putting a set number of terms together for the purpose of finding what they have in common. What does it mean to factor an expression? Factoring means to break an expression into the smaller expressions that multiplied to make the original problem. Factoring can take several forms: “un-distribute”, “un-FOIL”, division. Your task will be to factor expressions that have 4 terms in them.

3. Factoring by Grouping 1.We have a polynomial with four terms. This is too many, so we break the problem into two groups of two terms. 2. Look at the first group. We can take out (“un-distribute”) a 2x 2 from that group. 3. Look at the second group. We can take (“un-distribute”) a 3 from that group. 4. Now, you will notice that both groups have an (x+3). Pull that (x+3) out front, and assemble the other pieces into a group.

4. Factoring by Grouping 1.Let’s do another one! 2. Look at the first group. We can take out (“un-distribute”) a 2x 2 from that group. 3. Look at the second group. We can take (“un-distribute”) a 1 from that group, as the coefficients have nothing else in common. 4. Now, you will notice that both groups have a (4x – 3). Pull that (4x – 3) out front, and assemble the other pieces into a group.

5. Factoring by Grouping 1.Let’s do another one! 2. Look at the first group. We can take out (“un-distribute”) a 3x 2 from that group. 3. Look at the second group. We can take (“un-distribute”) -2 from that group. Why negative? If you look at the first group, the parentheses say (2x + 3). We need the parentheses in the second group to be an exact match. We divide out a negative 2 to make that happen. 4. Now, you will notice that both groups have a (2x + 3). Pull that (2x + 3) out front, and assemble the other pieces into a group.

6. Your turn! Factor the following polynomials using the grouping method. Click to check your answers!

7. Your task! Work together on worksheet 11. Plan how you will teach this to your classmates tomorrow. Your plan should include the following items: – 3 examples to show. 1 to explain the steps, 1 to show the steps again, and 1 for any special tricks. – A short script for yourself. – How to know if the group “gets it”.