Are there any yes

Factoring common factors?

Flowchart Factor out any
no common factors

How many terms

does the
polynomial have?
2
4
3
Is it a sum or
sum difference? Try factoring
Is it a
no quadratic? by grouping

difference yes
Is it the sum Change to quadratic
of cubes? form. Try to write
( a 3 + b3 ) the polynomial as Is the leading
a ( ) + b( ) + c . coefficient 1?
2

Is it a difference of ( x 2 + bx + c or
no
squares? ( a 2 − b 2 ) x 2 + bxy + cy 2 )
no

prime no yes
yes
Are the first and
last terms squared?
yes
( )2 " + ( )2
a 2 − b 2 = (a + b )(a − b ) Look for two factors
of c whose sum is b.
Then factor into:
(x )(x ) yes
Is it a difference of
a 3 + b3 cubes? ( a 3 − b3 )

(
= (a + b ) a 2 − ab + b 2 ) Check to see if it is a
special factor:
a + 2ab + b 2 = (a + b )
no 2 2
yes no
a 2 − 2ab + b 2 = (a − b )
2

prime
Use the strategy for ax 2 + bx + c :
1. Look for two factors of a ⋅ c whose sum is b.
(
a 3 − b 3 = (a − b ) a 2 + ab + b 2 ) 2. Rewrite bx as the sum of two terms with
coefficients from step 1.
3. Factor by grouping.

© 2007 Dan Kernler