1. Solving Polynomials 1
Review of Previous Methods 2
Grouping

2. Basic Steps Set the polynomial equal to zero Factor
Set each factor equal to zero
Solve each factor
CHECK THE ANSWERS!
Substitute the answer into the original equation & verify you get the same value on both sides of the equal sign

3. Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
Look for the largest common number and/or variables in each term
Divide each term by the common terms
Factor:

4. Rainbow Method (2nd degree Polynomial)

5. Grouping Solve as you would the last 3 steps of the “Rainbow” Method
Only works with 4 terms that GCF does not apply to
Steps:
Write polynomial in standard form
Use GCF on the first 2 terms
Use GCF on the last 2 terms
Note: You MUST have repeated expressions in parenthesis
Otherwise, it’s prime or was factored incorrectly
Rewrite the factors outside the parenthesis inside their own parenthesis
Write the repeated expression once in parenthesis

6. Grouping Example
Factor