Factoring

Polynomials
Because polynomials come in many
shapes and sizes, there are several
patterns you need to recognize and
there are different methods for solving
them.

Factoring Polynomials:

Type 1:

Quadratic Trinomials with a Leading coefficient of 1

x 6x 9
2

In Grade ten, you learned that there was a pattern with

these types of expressions. When this expression is
factored into two binomials, the two numbers will have a
product of 9 and a sum of -6.

x 6x 9
2

( x - 3 )(x - 3 )
2 Binomial Factors

Factoring Quadratic
Equations with a = 1
Try these examples:

1) x2 + 7x + 12

2) x2 + 8x + 12

3) x2 + 2x 3

4) x2 6x + 8

5) x2 + x 12

6) x2 3x 10

7) x2 8x + 15

8) x2 3x 18

9) x2 3x + 2

10) x2 10x + 21

Factoring Polynomials:

Type 2:

Quadratic Trinomials with a Leading coefficient = 1

5x 19x 4
2

There are a variety of ways that you can factor these types
of Trinomials:
a) Factoring by Decomposition
b) Factoring using Temporary Factors
c) Factoring using the Window Pane Method

Factoring Polynomials:

Type 2:

Quadratic Trinomials with a Leading coefficient = 1

2

5x 19x 4

a) Factoring by Decomposition
1.

Multiply a and c

2.

Look for two numbers that multiply to that product and add to b

3.

Break down the middle term into two terms using those two
numbers

4.

Find the common factor for the first pair and factor it out & then
find the common factor for the second pair and factor it out.

5.

From the two new terms, place the common factor in one bracket
and the factored out factors in the other bracket.

Factoring Polynomials:

Type 2:

Quadratic Trinomials with a Leading coefficient = 1

a) Factoring by Decomposition
1.

Multiply a and c

2.

Look for two numbers that

multiply to that product and add to
b

3.

Break down the middle term into

two terms using those two numbers

4.

Find the common factor for the

first pair and factor it out & then
find the common factor for the
second pair and factor it out.

5.

From the two new terms, place the

common factor in one bracket and
the factored out factors in the other
bracket.

a c 20
The 2 nos. are -20 & 1

5x 19x 4
2
5x 20x 1x 4
5x( x 4) 1( x 4)
( x 4)(5x 1)
2

Factoring Polynomials:

Type 2:

Quadratic Trinomials with a Leading coefficient = 1

5x 19x 4
2

b) Factoring using Temporary Factors

1.

Multiply a and c

2.

Look for two numbers that multiply to that product and add to b

3.

Use those numbers as temporary factors.

4.

Divide each of the number terms by a and reduce.

5.

Multiply one bracket by its denominator

Factoring Polynomials:

Type 2:

Quadratic Trinomials with a Leading coefficient = 1

a) Factoring by Temporary Factors

a c 20

The 2 nos. are -20 & 1

1. Multiply a and c
2. Look for two numbers that multiply
to that product and add to b
3.Use those numbers as temporary
factors.
4.Divide each of the number terms by
a and reduce.
5.Multiply one bracket by its
denominator

5x 19x 4
2

( x 20)(x 1)

20
1

x x
5
5

( x 4)(5x 1)

Factoring Polynomials:

Type 2:

Quadratic Trinomials with a Leading coefficient = 1

5x 19x 4
2

c) Factoring using the Window Pane Method

1.

Multiply a and c

2.

Look for two numbers that multiply to that product and add to b

3.

Draw a Windowpane with four panes. Put the first term in the
top left pane and the third term in the bottom right pane.

4.

Use the two numbers for two x-terms that you put in the other
two panes

5.

Take the common factor out of each row using the sign of the
first pane. Take the common factor out of each column using the
sign of the top pane. These are your factors.

Factoring Polynomials:

Type 2:

Quadratic Trinomials with a Leading coefficient = 1

a) Factoring by Temporary Factors

a c 20

1. Multiply a and c Look for two numbers

that multiply to that product and add
to b

The 2 nos. are -20 & 1

5x 19x 4
2

2. Draw a Windowpane with four panes. Put

the first term in the top left pane and
the third term in the bottom right
pane.
3. Use the two numbers for two x-terms that
you put in the other two panes.

4.Take the common factor out of each row

using the sign of the first pane. Take
the common factor out of each column
using the sign of the top pane. These
are your factors.

5x

5x 2 20x
1x 4

( x 4)(5x 1)

Special Case Trinomials:

Loooking for Patterns:
A trinomial formed by squaring a binomial.
Ex1: (x + 5)2

Ex2: (2x 3)2

Ex3: (x - 4)2

Ex4: (5x + 2)2

What do you notice about the resulting trinomials?

Factoring Special Cases:

Type 3:
Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials

4 x 12x 9
2

1. First determine if the first and third terms are perfect

squares. Identify their square roots.
2.

Determine if the middle term is twice the product of

those square roots. If so, then this Trinomial is a Perfect
Square Trinomial!

3. Set up two brackets putting the square roots in as the first

and second term for each binomial.

Factoring Special Cases:

Type 3:
Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials

4 x 12x 9
2

1.

2.

First determine if the first and third

terms are perfect squares. Identify
their square roots.
Determine if the middle term is twice
the product of those square roots. If
so, then this Trinomial is a Perfect
Square Trinomial!

3. Set up two brackets putting the square

roots in as the first and second term
for each binomial.

Perfect Squares

4 x 2 ( 2 x) 2
9 (3) 2
And

12x 2(2 x)(3)

4 x 12x 9
(2 x 3)(2 x 3)
2

Factoring Special Cases:

Type 3: Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials
Determine which of the following polynomials is a perfect
square trinomial. If so, factor it.
1) x2 12x + 36
2) 9x2 + 34x + 25
3) x2 + 18x + 81
3) 64x2 - 20x + 1

Factoring Special Cases:

Type 4: Factoring a Difference of Squares
A binomial that is created by subtracting two perfect
squares.
Ex 1: x2 4

Ex 2: x2 625

Ex 3: 4x2 25

Ex 4: 16x2 - 81

What is true about the factored form of each of these

binomials?

Factoring Special Cases:

Type 4:
Factoring A Difference of Squares

9 x 25
2

1. First determine if the two terms are perfect squares.

Identify their square roots.
2. Set up two brackets , one with an addition sign and the
other with a subtraction sign. They are different, get it?

3. Then insert the square roots in as the first and second

term for each binomial.

Factoring Special Cases:

Type 4:

A Difference?

Factoring A Difference of Squares

1.

First determine if the two terms are

perfect squares. Identify their square
roots.

2.

Set up two brackets , one with an

addition sign and the other with a
subtraction sign. They are different,
get it?

3.

Then insert the square roots in as the

first and second term for each
binomial.

9 x 25
2

Perfect Squares?

( 3x

)( 3x

Factoring Special Cases:

Difference of Squares
Factor each of the following completely:
1) x2 100
2) x4 16
3) 100x2 400
4) 3x2 - 75
5) 225x2 121

#2 isnt quadratic but it still can be factored!