Checklist: Factoring Portfolio Page -- Algebra 2 GCF (Always check first) Two Terms: -Difference of Squares Three Terms: -Perfect Square Trinomial -Factor Trinomial Four Terms: Grouping Checklist: Factoring GCF / Factoring ax2 + bx + c when a = 1 or is a prime number Factor ax2 + bx + c when a ≠ 1 or a is NOT prime Examples: 1) 6x2 + 13x – 8 2) 8x2 – 2x - 3   Factoring –-rewriting an expression as the product of its factors   Greatest Common Factor --the common factor with the greatest coefficient and the greatest exponent Examples: 1) 15w5 – 35w3 2) x2 – 7x - 18 3) 5x2 – 8x + 3

Examples: Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials & Difference of Squares Factoring Forms: a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2   a2 - 2ab + b2 = (a – b)2  ***Always foil back to check—sometimes doesn’t work!!!!!  Examples: 1) 4x2 - 20x + 25 2) 16x2 – 225 Factoring by Grouping Grouping: 1) group first two terms together, factor out GCF 2) group second two terms together, factor out GCF 3) factor out GCF from those remaining terms Examples: 1) y3 + 3y2 + 4y + 12 2) 6x3 + 8x2 – 15x - 20 Factoring Combined Types *Follow checklist for factoring – ALWAYS GCF FIRST! 1) 12x3 – 12x2 – 9x 2) 2x2 – 12x + 18 3) 8x2 - 18 4) ab2 + cb2 – 4a – 4c Difference of Squares Factoring Form: a2 - b2 = (a + b)(a – b)