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Complete Factoring Guide

The document is a comprehensive guide on factoring techniques in algebra, covering methods such as Difference of Squares, Perfect Square Trinomials, the AC Method, and Factoring by Grouping. It includes formulas, examples, common mistakes, and practice problems for each method. Additionally, it provides verification steps to ensure the accuracy of the factoring process.

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Shimmy Rothenberg
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16 views5 pages

Complete Factoring Guide

The document is a comprehensive guide on factoring techniques in algebra, covering methods such as Difference of Squares, Perfect Square Trinomials, the AC Method, and Factoring by Grouping. It includes formulas, examples, common mistakes, and practice problems for each method. Additionally, it provides verification steps to ensure the accuracy of the factoring process.

Uploaded by

Shimmy Rothenberg
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Complete Factoring Guide

Table of Contents
1. Difference of Squares
2. Perfect Square Trinomials
3. The AC Method
4. Factoring by Grouping
5. Practice Problems

Difference of Squares
Formula

a² - b² = (a+b)(a-b)

Examples

1. x² - 16
o a² = x²; a = x
o b² = 16; b = 4
o Answer: (x+4)(x-4)
2. 25x² - 49
o a² = 25x²; a = 5x
o b² = 49; b = 7
o Answer: (5x+7)(5x-7)
3. 4x² - y²
o a² = 4x²; a = 2x
o b² = y²; b = y
o Answer: (2x+y)(2x-y)

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to find the square root (writing (x²+4)(x²-4) instead of (x+4)(x-4))


• Missing the middle term (thinking x² + 4 can be factored this way)
• Forgetting to factor out a GCF first (in expressions like 4x² - 36)

Perfect Square Trinomials


Formulas

• a² + 2ab + b² = (a+b)²
• a² - 2ab + b² = (a-b)²
Examples

1. x² + 6x + 9
o First term: √(x²) = x
o Last term: √9 = 3
o Middle term: 2(x)(3) = 6x ✓
o Answer: (x+3)²
2. 4x² - 12x + 9
o First: √(4x²) = 2x
o Last: √9 = 3
o Middle: 2(2x)(3) = 12x ✓
o Answer: (2x-3)²
3. x² - 8x + 16
o First: √(x²) = x
o Last: √16 = 4
o Middle: 2(x)(4) = 8x ✓
o Answer: (x-4)²

Common Mistakes

• Not checking if middle term equals 2ab


• Forgetting to square the binomial (writing (x+3) instead of (x+3)²)
• Not recognizing perfect squares (16 = 4², 25 = 5², etc.)

The AC Method
Steps

1. Identify a, b, and c
2. Multiply a × c
3. Find factors of ac that add to b
4. Split middle term
5. Factor by grouping

Examples

1. 2x² - 7x + 3

Copy
a = 2, b = -7, c = 3
ac = 6
Factors of 6 that add to -7: -2 and -5
2x² - 2x - 5x + 3
2x(x-1) - 5(x-3/5)
(2x-5)(x-1)
2. 3x² + 13x + 10

Copy
a = 3, b = 13, c = 10
ac = 30
Factors of 30 that add to 13: 3 and 10
3x² + 3x + 10x + 10
3x(x+1) + 10(x+1)
(3x+10)(x+1)

3. 6x² + x - 2

Copy
a = 6, b = 1, c = -2
ac = -12
Factors of -12 that add to 1: 4 and -3
6x² + 4x - 3x - 2
2x(3x+2) - 1(3x+2)
(2x-1)(3x+2)

Common Mistakes

• Using wrong signs when splitting middle term


• Not finding all possible factor pairs of ac
• Forgetting to check if final answer can be factored further
• Not factoring out GCF first if one exists

Factoring by Grouping
Steps

1. Group terms in pairs


2. Factor out GCF from each group
3. Find common binomial
4. Factor out common binomial
5. Check if result factors further

Examples

1. x³ + x² - 4x - 4

Copy
(x³ + x²) + (-4x - 4)
x²(x + 1) + (-4)(x + 1)
(x + 1)(x² - 4)
(x + 1)(x + 2)(x - 2)

2. 2x³ - 3x² - 2x + 3
Copy
(2x³ - 3x²) + (-2x + 3)
x²(2x - 3) + (-1)(2x - 3)
(2x - 3)(x² - 1)
(2x - 3)(x + 1)(x - 1)

3. x³ - x² - x + 1

Copy
(x³ - x²) + (-x + 1)
x²(x - 1) + (-1)(x - 1)
(x - 1)(x² - 1)
(x - 1)(x + 1)(x - 1)
(x - 1)²(x + 1)

Common Mistakes

• Grouping terms incorrectly


• Missing the common factor
• Not factoring the result completely
• Forgetting to check signs when factoring groups

Practice Problems
Try these problems and then check your work using the steps above.

Level 1: Basic Factoring

1. x² - 25
2. x² + 8x + 16
3. x² - 3x - 10
4. 2x² + 5x + 2

Level 2: Multiple Methods

1. 3x³ + 3x² - x - 1
2. 4x² - 81
3. 6x² + 13x + 6
4. x⁴ - 16

Solutions

Level 1:

1. x² - 25 = (x+5)(x-5) [Difference of squares]


2. x² + 8x + 16 = (x+4)² [Perfect square trinomial]
3. x² - 3x - 10 = (x+2)(x-5) [Factor by product-sum]
4. 2x² + 5x + 2 = (2x+1)(x+2) [AC method]

Level 2:

1. 3x³ + 3x² - x - 1 = (3x² + x)(x + 1) - (1)(x + 1) = (3x² + x - 1)(x + 1) [Grouping]


2. 4x² - 81 = (2x+9)(2x-9) [Difference of squares]
3. 6x² + 13x + 6 = (2x+3)(3x+2) [AC method]
4. x⁴ - 16 = (x²+4)(x²-4) = (x²+4)(x+2)(x-2) [Difference of squares twice]

Verification Steps for All Problems

1. Multiply your answer back out


2. Compare to original expression
3. Check for:
o Correct signs
o All terms included
o GCF factored out if present
o Factored completely
4. If stuck, try rewriting the problem with smaller numbers first

Need more practice? Try these techniques:

• Substitute small numbers for variables to check if your steps make sense
• Draw a box around the first and last terms to help identify factoring patterns
• Write out ALL possible factor pairs when using the AC method
• Use a factor tree to ensure you've factored completely

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