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Factoring Polynomials. Miss Ankrom Glenvar High School. Study the polynomial carefully!. Do the terms of the polynomial share a common factor ?. Is the coefficient of the term of highest degree a negative number?. Now Let’s GO !!. Step # 1. Factor out the
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Factoring Polynomials Miss Ankrom Glenvar High School
Is the coefficient of the term of highest degree a negative number?
Step # 1 Factor out the Greatest Common Factor Or Factor out -1. Then rewrite it as the product of the GCF and a polynomial.
Again studythe polynomial carefully!
The number of terms Matters!! Is the polynomial a Binomial or a Trinomial?
Step # 2Binomial Patterns There are three possible factor patterns for binomials. • The difference of two perfect squares • The sum of two perfect cubes • The difference of two perfect cubes
Factor Patterns These are “cookie cutter” patterns • If the polynomial “fits” the pattern, it factors! • If it doesn’ t “fit”, it will not factor!
The Difference of Two Perfect Squares A2 – B2 (a + b)(a – b)
The sum of two perfect cubes A3 + B3 (a + b)(a2 – ab + b2)
The difference of two perfect cubes A3 – B3 (a + b)(a2 – ab + b2)
Step # 3 Is the polynomial a trinomial? ax2 + bx + c
Trial and/or Error • Try all possible combinations of the two binomial factors until you find the right combination. • Ifno combination multiplies back to the original polynomial, then the polynomial does not factor.
Step # 4Grouping There are two types of grouping with four terms. • Two by Two grouping (“Noah’s Ark”) • Three by One grouping
Summary • Repeat each step on the factors you find until the polynomial is factored completely. • Rememberthat the sum of the degrees of the factors must equal the degree of the original polynomial. • Thefactor set is the set of integers. • You can always check your answer by multiplying the factors together to show that the product is the originalpolynomial.
Step #1: Factor out the GCF or -1 Step #2: If it is a binomial, check the three factor patterns below. Difference of two squares Sum of two cubes Difference of two cubes Step #3: If it is a trinomial, try to factor it into the product of 2 binomial factors by using trial and/or error. Step #4: If there are more than three terms, try grouping the terms and then using the previous factoring rules. Factoring Polynomials Completely
Congratulations! You can now successfully factor any polynomial. HAVE FUN!