Factoring Summary
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STEP ONE:

Always check for a common factor. If there is a common factor, find the greatest common factor (GCF) and factor it out. Once you have factored this out, check the remaining factor for further factoring.

Example 1         Example 2          Example 3

STEP TWO:

Count the number of terms in the polynomial has. This will help you to determine which factoring technique to use:

Binomial          Trinomial         Four Terms

STEP THREE:

Check each factor carefully for the possibility of factoring further. If a factor can be factored further by any of the techniques stated above, then factor. Continue to check each new factor for further factoring until no more factoring is evident.

STEP FOUR:

Check your factored form by multiplying back using the distributive property.

Click here to see an example

Practice Problems