Factoring: A general Strategy

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Section 5.7

• Factoring A general Strategy

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Factoring- Easy?

• Factoring is easy when you know what strategy to
  apply.
• When the different types are mixed together, it
  can be more challenging.

3
The strategy

• First, ALWAYS factor out the GCF.
• Also, remember that sometimes you can factor the
  factors.
• 2) How many terms?
• a) 2 terms
• Check for Diff of 2 squares
• Sum/Diff of cubes

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The rest of the strategy

• b) 3 terms
• Check for
• Perfect Square trinomial?
• is a1?
• Find (xm)(xn), where
• mnc, mn b
• otherwise
• Grouping or
• Trial and Error

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Almost the end

• c) 4 terms?
• Grouping
• 3) Remember Check your work!!
• And, make sure you have factored everything
  COMPLETELY.

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Examples
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ExamplesSolutions
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More Examples
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More Examples Solutions