• Recall: Factors of a number are the numbers that

divide the original number evenly.

• Writing a number as a product of factors is called a
factorization of the number.
• The prime factorization of a number is the
factorization of that number written as a product of
prime numbers.
• Common factors are factors that two or more numbers
have in common.
• The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is the largest
common factor.
Ex: Find the GCF(24, 40).

Prime factor each number:

24
2 12
2 6
2 3  24 = 2*2*2*3 = 23*3

 GCF(24,40) = 23 = 8
40
2 20
2 10
2 5  40 = 2*2*2*5 = 23*5
The Greatest Common Factor of terms of a polynomial is the
largest factor that the original terms share
• Ex: What is the GCF(7x2, 3x)
7x2 = 7 * x * x
3x = 3 * x
The terms share a factor of x
 GCF(7x2, 3x) = x
• 6a5 = 2*3*a*a*a*a*a The terms share two
• 3a3 = 3*a*a*a factors of a
• 2a2 = 2*a*a  GCF(6a5,3a3,2a2)= a2

Note: The exponent of the variable in the GCF is

the smallest exponent of that variable the terms
• To factor an expression means to write an equivalent expression
that is a product
• To factor a polynomial means to write the polynomial as a
product of other polynomials
• A factor that cannot be factored further is said to be a prime
factor (prime polynomial)
• A polynomial is factored completely if it is written as a product
of prime polynomials
• Do the terms have a common factor (GCF)?
• Does the polynomial have four terms?
• Is the polynomial a special one?
• Is the polynomial a difference of squares?
• a2 – b2
• Is the polynomial a sum/difference of cubes?
• a3 + b3 or a3 – b3
• Is the trinomial a perfect-square trinomial?
• a2 + 2ab + b2 or a2 – 2ab + b2
• Is the trinomial a product of two binomials?
• Factored completely?
Ex: Factor 7x2 + 3x
Think of the Distributive Law: a(b+c) = ab + ac
 reverse it ab + ac = a(b + c)

Do the terms share a common factor?

What is the GCF(7x2, 3x)?
Recall: GCF(7x2, 3x) = x Factor out
2
 7 x + 3 x = x( + ) What’s left?
x x

 7x2 + 3x = x(7x + 3)
Ex: Factor 6a5 – 3a3 – 2a2
Recall: GCF(6a5,3a3,2a2)= a2
3 1
6a5 – 3a –
3 2a2 = a2( 6a3 - 3a - 2 )
a2 a2 a2

 6a5 – 3a3 – 2a2 = a2(6a3 – 3a – 2)

Your Turn to Try a Few
Ex: Factor x(a + b) – 2(a + b)

Always ask first if there is common factor the terms share . . .

x(a + b) – 2(a + b) Each term has factor (a + b)

 x(a + b) – 2(a + b) = (a + b)( x – 2 )

(a + b) (a + b)

 x(a + b) – 2(a + b) = (a + b)(x – 2)

Ex: Factor a(x – 2) + 2(2 – x)

As with the previous example, is there a common factor

among the terms?
Well, kind of . . . x – 2 is close to 2 - x . . . Hum . . .
Recall: (-1)(x – 2) = - x + 2 = 2 – x

 a(x – 2) + 2(2 – x) = a(x – 2) + 2((-1)(x – 2))

= a(x – 2) + (– 2)(x – 2)
= a(x – 2) – 2(x – 2)
 a(x – 2) – 2(x – 2) = (x – 2)( a – 2 )
(x – 2) (x – 2)
Ex: Factor b(a – 7) – 3(7 – a)

Common factor among the terms?

Well, kind of . . . a – 7 is close to 7 - a

Recall: (-1)(a – 7) = - a + 7 = 7 – a

 b(a – 7) – 3(7 – a) = b(a – 7) – 3((-1)(a – 7))

= b(a – 7) + 3(a – 7)
= b(a – 7) +3(a – 7)
 b(a – 7) + 3(a – 7) = (a – 7)( b + 3 )
(a – 7) (a – 7)
Your Turn to Try a Few
• Do the terms have a common factor (GCF)?
• Does the polynomial have four terms?
• Is the polynomial a special one?
• Is the polynomial a difference of squares?
• a2 – b2
• Is the polynomial a sum/difference of cubes?
• a3 + b3 or a3 – b3
• Is the trinomial a perfect-square trinomial?
• a2 + 2ab + b2 or a2 – 2ab + b2
• Is the trinomial a product of two binomials?
• Factored completely?
• If the polynomial has four terms, consider factor by
grouping
1. Factor out the GCF from the first two terms
2. Factor out the GCF from the second two terms (take
the negative sign if minus separates the first and
second groups)
3. If factor by grouping is the correct approach, there
should be a common factor among the groups
4. Factor out that GCF
5. Check by multiplying using FOIL
Ex: Factor 6a3 + 3a2 +4a + 2
Notice 4 terms . . . think two groups: 1st two and 2nd two

Common factor among the 1st two terms?

GCF(6a3, 3a2) = 3a2
2a 1
 6a3 + 3a2 = 3a2( 2a + 1 )
2
3a2 3a

Common factor among the 2nd two terms?

2 GCF(4a, 2) = 2
1
 4a + 2 = 2( 2a + 1 )
2 2
Now put it all together . . .
6a3 + 3a2 +4a + 2 = 3a2(2a + 1) + 2(2a + 1)

Four terms  two terms. Is there a common factor?

Each term has factor (2a + 1)

3a2(2a + 1) + 2(2a + 1) = (2a + 1)( 3a2 + 2 )

(2a + 1) (2a + 1)

6a3 + 3a2 +4a + 2 = (2a + 1)(3a2 + 2)

Ex: Factor 4x2 + 3xy – 12y – 16x
Notice 4 terms . . . think two groups: 1st two and 2nd two

Common factor among the 1st two terms?

GCF(4x2, 3xy) = x
4x 3y
 4x2 + 3xy = x( 4x + 3y )
x x

Common factor among the 2nd two terms?

3y GCF(-12y, - 16x) = -4
4x
 -12y – 16x = - 4( 3y + 4x )
-4 -4
Now put it all together . . .
4x2 + 3xy – 12y – 16x = x(4x + 3y) – 4(4x + 3y)

Four terms  two terms. Is there a common factor?

Each term has factor (4x + 3y)

x(4x + 3y) – 4(4x + 3y) = (4x + 3y)( x – 4 )

(4x + 3y) (4x + 3y)

4x2 + 3xy – 12y – 16x = (4x + 3y)(x – 4)

Ex: Factor 2ra + a2 – 2r – a
Notice 4 terms . . . think two groups: 1st two and 2nd two

Common factor among the 1st two terms?

GCF(2ra, a2) = a
 2ra + a2 = a( 2r + a )
a a

Common factor among the 2nd two terms?

GCF(-2r, - a) = -1
 -2r – a = - 1( 2r + a )
-1 -1
Now put it all together . . .
 2ra + a2 –2r – a = a(2r + a) – 1(2r + a)

Four terms  two terms. Is there a common factor?

Each term has factor (2r + a)

a(2r + a) – 1(2r + a) = (2r + a)( a – 1 )

(2r + a) (2r + a)

2ra + a2 – 2r – a = (2r + a)(a – 1)

Your Turn to Try a Few
• Do the terms have a common factor (GCF)?
• Does the polynomial have four terms?
• Is the polynomial a special one?
• Is the polynomial a difference of squares?
• a2 – b2
• Is the trinomial a perfect-square trinomial?
• a2 + 2ab + b2 or a2 – 2ab + b2
• Is the trinomial a product of two binomials?
• Factored completely?
Is the polynomial a difference of squares?
• a2 – b2 = (a – b)(a + b)

Is the trinomial a perfect-square trinomial?

• a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2
• a2 – 2ab + b2 = (a – b)2
Ex: Factor x2 – 4

Notice the terms are both perfect squares

and we have a difference  difference of squares
x2 = (x)2 4 = (2)2
 x2 – 4 = (x)2 – (2)2 = (x – 2)(x + 2)

a2 – b2 = (a – b)(a + b)
factors as
 Ex: Factor 9p2 – 16

Notice the terms are both perfect squares

and we have a difference  difference of squares
9p2 = (3p)2 16 = (4)2
 9a2 – 16 = (3p)2 – (4)2 = (3p – 4)(3p + 4)

a2 – b2 = (a – b)(a + b)
factors as
 Ex: Factor y6 – 25

Notice the terms are both perfect squares

and we have a difference  difference of squares
y6 = (y3)2 25 = (5)2
 y6 – 25 = (y3)2 – (5)2 = (y3 – 5)(y3 + 5)

a2 – b2 = (a – b)(a + b)
factors as
 Ex: Factor 81 – x2y2

Notice the terms are both perfect squares

and we have a difference  difference of squares
81 = (9)2 x2y2 = (xy)2
 81 – x2y2 = (9)2 – (xy)2 = (9 – xy)(9 + xy)

a2 – b2 = (a – b)(a + b)
factors as
Your Turn to Try a Few
• Do the terms have a common factor (GCF)?
• Does the polynomial have four terms?
• Is the polynomial a special one?
• Is the polynomial a difference of squares?
• a2 – b2
• Is the polynomial a sum/difference of cubes?
• a3 + b3 or a3 – b3
• Is the trinomial a perfect-square trinomial?
• a2 + 2ab + b2 or a2 – 2ab + b2
• Is the trinomial a product of two binomials?
• Factored completely?
• Recall FOIL
• (3x + 4)(4x + 5) = 12x2 + 15x + 16x + 20 = 12x2 + 31x + 20

The product of the two binomials is a trinomial

The constant term is the product of the L terms
The coefficient of x, b, is the sum of the O & I products
The coefficient of x2, a, is the product of the F terms
1. Factor out the GCF, if any
2. For the remaining trinomial, find the F terms (__ x + )(__ x
+ ) = ax2
3. Find the L terms ( x + __ )( x + __ ) = c
4. Look for the outer and inner products to sum to bx
5. Check the factorization by using FOIL to multiply
Ex: Factor b2 + 6b + 5
1. there is no GCF
2. the lead coefficient is 1  (1b )(1b )
3. Look for factors of 5 1, 5 & 5, 1
(b + 1)(b + 5) or (b + 5)(b + 1)
4. outer-inner product?
(b + 1)(b + 5)  5b + b = 6b
or (b + 5)(b + 1)  b + 5b = 6b
Either one works  b2 + 6b + 5 = (b + 1)(b + 5)
5. check: (b + 1)(b + 5) = b2 + 5b + b + 5
= b2 + 6b + 5
 Ex: Factor y2 + 6y – 55
1. there is no GCF
2. the lead coefficient is 1  (1y )(1y )
3. Look for factors of – 55 1, -55 & 5, - 11 & 11, - 5 & 55, - 1
(y + 1)(y – 55) or (y + 5)(y - 11) or ( y + 11)(y – 5) or (y + 55)(y – 1)
4. outer-inner product?
(y + 1)(y - 55)  -55y + y = - 54y (y + 5)(y - 11)  -11y + 5y = -6y
(y + 55)(y - 1)  -y + 55y = 54y (y + 11)(y - 5)  -5y + 11y = 6y
 y2 + 6y - 55 = (y + 11)(y – 5)
5. check: (y + 11)(y – 5) = y2 – 5y + 11y - 55
= y2 + 6y – 55
• Always look for a common factor
• immediately take it out to the front of the expression all common factors
• show what’s left inside ONE set of parenthesis
• Identify the number of terms.
• If there are three terms, and the leading coefficient is positive:
• find all the factors of the first term, find all the factors of the last term
• Within 2 sets of parentheses,
• place the factors from the first term in the front of the parentheses
• place the factors from the last term in the back of the parentheses
• NEVER put common factors together in one parenthesis.
• check the last sign,
• if the sign is plus: use the SAME signs, the sign of the 2nd term
• if the sign is minus: use different signs, one plus and one minus
• “smile” to make sure you get the middle term
• multiply the inner most terms together then multiply the outer most terms
together, and add the two products together.
• Factors of the first term: 1x & 2x

• Factors of the last term:

-1 & 7 or 1 & -7

• (2x – 7)(x + 1)
• Nothing common
• Factors of the first term: 1 & 4 or 2 & 2
• Factors of the last term: 1,6 2,30 3,20 4,15 5,12 6,10
• Since each pair of factors of the last has an even number,
we can not use 2 & 2 from the first term

• (4x + 3)(1x + 20 )
Trinomial Sign Pattern Binomial Sign Pattern
+ + ( + )( + )
- + ( - )( - )
- - 1 plus and 1 minus
+ - 1 plus and 1 minus

But as you can tell from the previous example, the

FOIL method of factoring requires a lot of trial and
error (and hence luck!) . . . Better way?
Your Turn to Try a Few
1. Factor out the GCF, if any
2. For the remaining trinomial, multiply ac
3. Look for factors of ac that sum to b
4. Rewrite the bx term as a sum using the factors found in step
3
5. Factor by grouping
6. Check by multiplying using FOIL
 3 2 – 4x
Ex: Factor 3x 4 – 15
1. Is there a GCF? No
2. Multiply ac  a = 3 and c = – 15 3(-15) = - 45
3. Factors of -45 that sum to – 4
1 – 45  – 44 Note: although there are more
factors of – 45, we don’t have to
3 – 15  – 12
check them since we found what
5 –9 –4 we were looking for!

4. Rewrite the middle term

3x2 – 4x – 15 = 3x2 – 9x + 5x – 15
Four-term polynomial . . . How should we
proceed to factor?
 Factor by grouping . . . 3x2 – 9x + 5x – 15

Common factor among the 1st two terms? 3x

3
 3 x 2 – 9x = 3x( x – 3 )
3x 3x
Common factor among the 2nd two terms? 5
3
 5 x – 15 = 5( x – 3 )
5 5
 3x2 – 9x + 5x – 15 = 3x(x – 3) + 5(x – 3)
= (x – 3)( 3x + 5 )
 5 – 12
2 2 + 5t
Ex: Factor 2t
1. Is there a GCF? No
2. Multiply ac  a = 2 and c = – 12 2(-12) = - 24
3. Factors of -24 that sum to 5
1 – 24  – 23 Close but wrong sign so reverse it
2 – 12  – 10 -3 8 5
3 –8 –5

4. Rewrite the middle term

2t2 + 5t – 12 = 2t2 – 3t + 8t – 12
Four-term polynomial . . . Factor by grouping . . .
 2t2 – 3t + 8t – 12

Common factor among the 1st two terms? t

3
 2 t 2 – 3t = t( 2t – 3)
t t
Common factor among the 2nd two terms? 4
2 3
 8 t – 12 = 4( 2t – 3 )
4 4
 2t2 – 3t + 8t – 12 = t(2t – 3) + 4(2t – 3)
= (2t – 3)( t + 4 )
 9 4 + 18x
Ex: Factor 9x 18 2 + 88
1. Is there a GCF? No
2. Multiply ac  a = 9 and c = 8 9(8) = 72
3. Factors of 72 that sum to 18
1 72  73 Bit big  think bigger factors
3 24  27
6 12  18 

4. Rewrite the middle term

9x4 + 18x2 + 8 = 9x4 + 6x2 + 12x2 + 8
Four-term polynomial . . . Factor by grouping . . .
 9x4 + 6x2 + 12x2 + 8

Common factor among the 1st two terms? 3x2

3x2 2
 9x4 + 6x2 = 3x2(3x2 + 2 )
3x2 3x2
Common factor among the 2nd two terms? 4
3 3
 12x2 + 8 = 4( 3x2 + 2 )
4 4
 9x4 + 6x2 + 12x2 + 8 = 3x2(3x2 + 2) + 4(3x2 + 2)
= (3x2 + 2)( 3x2 + 4 )
 12 2 – 17
Ex: Factor 12x 6y22 Pick one to be the variable
y + 6y
17xy
1. Is there a GCF? No, but notice two variables
2. Multiply ac  a = 12x2 and c = 6y2 12x2(6y2) = 72y2
3. Factors of 72x2y2 that sum to - 17xy
-1xy -72xy  -73xy Each factor need a y, both need to
be negative
-6xy -12xy  -18xy
Too big, think bigger factors
-8xy -9xy  -17xy 

4. Rewrite the middle term

12x2 – 17xy + 6y2 = 12x2 – 8xy – 9xy + 6y2
Four-term polynomial . . . Factor by grouping . . .
 12x2 – 8xy – 9xy + 6y2

Common factor among the 1st two terms? 4x

3x 2y
 12x2 – 8xy = 4x( 3x – 2y )
4x 4x
Common factor among the 2nd two terms? - 3y
3 -2y
 – 9xy + 6y2 = - 3y( 3x – 2y )
-3y -3y
 12x2 – 8xy – 9xy + 6y2 = 4x(3x – 2y) – 3y(3x – 2y)
= (3x – 2)( 4x – 3y )
Your Turn to Try a Few
• Do the terms have a common factor (GCF)?
• Does the polynomial have four terms?
• Is the polynomial a special one?
• Is the polynomial a difference of squares?
• a2 – b2
• Is the polynomial a sum/difference of cubes?
• a3 + b3 or a3 – b3
• Is the trinomial a perfect-square trinomial?
• a2 + 2ab + b2 or a2 – 2ab + b2
• Is the trinomial a product of two binomials?
• Factored completely?
Ex: Factor x3 + 3x2 – 4x – 12
1. Is there a GCF? No
2. Notice four terms  grouping
Common factor among the 1st two terms? x2
x
 x3 + 3x2 = x2( x + 3 )
x2 x2

Common factor among the 2nd two terms? -4

3
 – 4x – 12 = – 4( x +3 )
-4 -4
 x3 + 3x2 - 4x – 12 = x2(x + 3) – 4(x + 3)
= (x + 3)( x2 – 4 )
Cont: we have (x + 3)(x2 – 4)
But are we done? No. We have to make sure
we factor completely.
Is (x + 3) prime?  can x + 3 be factored further?
No . . . It is prime
What about (x2 – 4)? Recognize it?
Difference of Squares
x2 = (x)2 4 = (2)2
 x2 – 4 = (x)2 – (2)2 = (x – 2)(x + 2)
Therefore x3 + 3x2 – 4x – 12 = (x + 3)(x2 – 4)
= (x + 3)(x – 2)(x + 2)
Your Turn to Try a Few
• Do the terms have a common factor (GCF)?
• Does the polynomial have four terms?
• Is the polynomial a special one?
• Is the polynomial a difference of squares?
• a2 – b2
• Is the polynomial a sum/difference of cubes?
• a3 + b3 or a3 – b3
• Is the trinomial a perfect-square trinomial?
• a2 + 2ab + b2 or a2 – 2ab + b2
• Is the trinomial a product of two binomials?
• Factored completely?
Is the polynomial a sum/difference of cubes?
• a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a2 - ab + b2)
• a3 – b3 = (a - b)(a2 + ab + b2)
Ex: Factor 8p3 – q3

Notice the terms are both perfect cubes

and we have a difference  difference of cubes
8p3 = (2p)3 q3 = (q)3
 8p3 – q3 = (2p)3 – (q)3 = (2p – q)((2p)2 + (2p)(q) + (q)2)

a3 – b3 = (a – b)(a2 + ab + b2)
factors as
= (2p – q)(4p2 + 2pq + q2)
 Ex: Factor x3 + 27y9

Notice the terms are both perfect cubes

and we have a sum  sum of cubes
x3 = (x)3 27y9 = (3y3)3
 x3 + 27y9 = (x)3 + (3y3)3 = (x + 3y3)((x)2 - (x)(3y3) + (3y3)2)

a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a2 - ab + b2)
factors as
= (x + 3y3)(x2 – 3xy3 + 9y6)