6.4 and 6.5 Factoring Trinomials “Using Bottom’s Up Method”

The X factor To begin factoring trinomials draw a BIG X East and West multiplied together = North East and West added together =South North East West South

The X Factor Do the worksheet

The X Factor: How to put a trinomial in the X Make sure the polynomial is in descending order: ax² +bx +c If ax² is – factor out a -1 before you begin If there is a common factor, factor it out before you begin to put it in the X Multiply a and c to get the North term Write b in the South Find what two numbers add to get the south and multiply to get the north. Those two numbers are your east and west

- - + + - + - - + - - + - + + + X Factor: 4 Options Larger # Larger # Smaller # - Smaller # + - +

The X Factor: With Trinomials Worksheet

Bottom’s Up Factor out a common factor Draw your X and do the X Factor Make East an d West your binomials (x + west) (x + East) Divide West and East by the # in front of x² 5. Simplify (reduce fraction) 6. Bring the bottom number up in front of x

See Examples