1. factoring special products Formulas to memorize!
Section 6.3
factoring special products Formulas to memorize!

2. FORMULAS… Memorize these!
Perfect Square Trinomials:
a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2
Difference of 2 Squares:
a2 - b2 = (a + b)(a – b)
Difference of 2 Cubes:
a3 – b3 = (a – b)(a2 + ab + b2)
Sum of 2 Cubes:
a3 + b3 = (a +b)(a2 - ab + b2)

3. EX: Factor
1. x3 – 8y3
2. x2 – 4x + 4
3. 4a2 – 25b4

4. EX: Factor some more!
4. m4 - 81
r3 + 8v3
– (x – y)2

5. Guidelines for Factoring
1. Check for a GCF
2. 2 Terms: 2 Squares or 2 Cubes?
Squares: if they are subtracted, use the difference of 2 squares formula.
Cubes: use either the sum of 3 cubes formula or the difference of 2 cubes formula.
3. 3 Terms: Is it a perfect square?
YES: use Perfect Square Trinomial formula
NO: use REVERSE FOIL METHOD
4. 4 Terms: factor by GROUPING

6. Examples… factor each completely
1. x2 – 8x + 15
x2 + 30x + 25
a5y – 2a4y2 – 12x3y3
4. x2y + 3x – xy2 – 3y
m5 + 10m3n2 + 5mn4
6. (x + y)3 + (x – y)3