Factoring Review 1 2 3 Review Tying it All Together Shortcut for the Shortcuts
Greatest Common Factor (GCF) Look for the largest common number and/or variables in each term Divide each term by the common terms
Rainbow Method (2nd degree Polynomial)
Special Rules Difference of Squares Perfect Square Trinomials
Nothing! Special Rules Which formula do you use to factor: Difference, Not Sum +, Not -
Tying It All Together + or - ? - + Factored! GCF Common Terms? No 2 Terms or 3 Terms? Yes 3 2 Perfect Square? Both Terms Perfect Squares? + or - ? - No Rainbow Method Yes Yes No + Difference of Squares Perfect Square Trinomial Rule Factored!
Shortcut to the Shortcut Perfect Square Trinomial Check (Middle Term)
Example