Section 5 Factoring: A General Strategy

1
Chapter 5

• Section 5 Factoring A General Strategy

2
To Factor a Polynomial

• Always look for a common factor first.

etc
3
To Factor a Polynomial

• Then look at the number of terms
• Two Terms
• Difference of Squares

Factor-out 2x
etc
4
To Factor a Polynomial

• Then look at the number of terms
• Three Terms
• Might have a perfect square trinomial.

etc
5
To Factor a Polynomial

• Then look at the number of terms
• Three Terms
• If not a perfect square trinomial, try using FOIL.

6
To Factor a Polynomial

• Then look at the number of terms
• Four Terms
• Try factoring by grouping.

7
Practice 1 of 3

• Factor

Factor-out a 10.
8
Practice 2 of 3
Try Factoring by Grouping

• Factor

Four Terms
Common Factor of (x 3)
9
Practice 3 of 3

• Factor

Factor out 3x
- 5
3
3 and -5 -3 and 5 5 and -3 -5 and 3
10
Practice

• MathXL Ch 5 Section 5 Homework