1. Using Sum and Product Method
Factoring
TRINOMIALS
Using Sum and Product Method
ax2 + bx + c

2. Example 1: x2 + 11x + 24
When factoring these trinomials the factors will be two binomials: (x )(x )
We know that the first terms of each binomial must be x because the first term of the trinomial is x2 and x  x = x2. The challenge is to find the last term of each binomial. They must be chosen so that they will cause the coefficient of the middle term and the last term of the trinomial to work out. (That’s 11 and 24 in this case.)
Their sum equals the middle term (b) of the trinomial. +
= 11
Their product of those same numbers equals the last term © of the trinomial. 
= 24

3. Example 1: x2 + 11x + 24 List the factors of 24: 24 11
SUM = 25 2 12
SUM = 14 3 8
SUM = 11 4 6
SUM = 10 11
It is the factors 3 and 8 that produce a sum of 11 AND a product of 24 so they must be the last terms of each binomial.
(x + 3)(x + 8)

4. If we multiply these factors using FOIL, we get the polynomial that we started with.
(x)(x) = x2
(x)(8) = 8x
(x + 3)(x + 8)
(3)(x) = 3x
= x2 + 8x + 3x + 24
(3)(8) = 24
As we look at the 4 terms above, it becomes apparent why the sum of the last terms in each binomial must be equal to the middle term of the trinomial.
(x + 3)(x + 8)
= x2 + 8x + 3x + 24
= x2 + 11x + 24

5. Example 2: a2 + 16a + 28 28
SUM = 16 16
a  a = a2 so they are the first terms of each binomial and the factors 2 and 14 make a sum of 16 so the are the last terms of each binomial.
= (a + 2)(a + 14)

6. Sometimes there is only 1 pair of factors to consider.
Factors of 1: 1
Factors of 1: 1
Example 3: y2 + 2y + 1
SUM = 2
y2 + 2y + 1
Sometimes there is only 1 pair of factors to consider.
= (y + 1)(y + 1)
= (y + 1)(y + 1)
Factors of 1: 1
Example 4: m2 + 3m + 1
SUM = 3
In this example the factors available do not make a sum of 3 which means that the trinomial can’t be factored.
Factors of 120: 1
120 2 60 3 40 4 30 5 24 6 20 8 15 10 12 1
120 2 60 3 40 4 30 5 24 6 20 8 15 10 12
Example 5: p2 + 23p + 120
In this example there are many pairs of factors to consider. Most examples will have fewer than these. The trick is in being able to quickly find all of the factors of c.
SUM = 23
p2 + 23p + 120
= (p + 8)(p + 15)
= (p + 8)(p + 15)

7. Example 6: x2 + 5x + 6 Factors of 6: Factors of 6: = (x + 2)(x + 3)1 6 2 3
Factors of 6: 1 6 2 3
= (x + 2)(x + 3)
SUM = 5
In each of the preceding examples the signs of the terms in the trinomials were always positive. Now we will observe examples where the signs can be negative.
Example 7: x2 + 5x - 6
Factors of -6:
= (x - 1)(x + 6) -1 +6 -2 +3 -1 +6 -2 +3
SUM = 5
When looking for the factors of a negative number, one must be positive and the other negative. If at the same time their sum is positive, then the factor that is bigger must be the positive one.

8. REVIEW OF RULES FOR SIGNS
Sign of bigger number
(+) + (+) = (+)
(+) + (-) =
(-) + (+) =
(-) + (-) = (-)
( )
ADDITION
(+)(+) = (+)
(+)(-) = (-)
(-)(+) = (-)
(-)(-) = (+)
MULTIPLICATION -6
Example 8: x2 - 5x - 6
= (x + 1)(x - 6) -5
When both the product and sum are negative, the factors have opposite signs but this time the bigger factor will be negative.

9. Example 9: x2 - 5x + 6 Factors of 6: = (x - 2)(x - 3) SUM = -5-1 -6 -2 -3
SUM = -5
When looking for factors of a positive number when the sum is negative, both factors will be negative.
Factors of -36:
Example 10: x2 - 5x - 36 1
-36 2
-18 3
-12 4 -9 6 -6 1
-36 2
-18 3
-12 4 -9 6 -6
= (x + 4)(x - 9)
SUM = -5

10. Review: (y + 2)(y + 4) y +2 +4 y2 +4y +2y y2 +2y +8 +4y +8
First terms:
Outer terms:
Inner terms:
Last terms:
Combine like terms.
y2 + 6y + 8 y +2 +4
+4y
+2y y2
+2y +8
+4y +8
In this lesson, we will begin with y2 + 6y + 8 as our problem and finish with (y + 2)(y + 4) as our answer.

11. Here we go! 1) Factor y2 + 6y + 8 Use your factoring chart.
Do we have a GCF?
Is it a Diff. of Squares problem?
Now we will learn Trinomials! You will set up a table with the following information.
Nope!
No way! 3 terms!
Product of the first and last coefficients
Middle coefficient
The goal is to find two factors in the first column that add up to the middle term in the second column.
We’ll work it out in the next few slides.

12. 1) Factor y2 + 6y + 8 Create your MAMA table.
Multiply Add
Product of the first and last coefficients
Middle coefficient
Here’s your task…
What numbers multiply to +8 and add to +6? If you cannot figure it out right away, write the combinations.

13. 1) Factor y2 + 6y + 8 Place the factors in the table.
Multiply Add
+1, +8
-1, -8
+2, +4
-2, -4
+9, NO
-9, NO
+6, YES!!
-6, NO
Which has a sum of +6?
We are going to use these numbers in the next step!

14. Now, group the first two terms and the last two terms.
1) Factor y2 + 6y + 8
Multiply Add
+2, +4
+6, YES!!
Hang with me now! Replace the middle number of the trinomial with our working numbers from the MAMA table
y2 + 6y + 8
y2 + 2y + 4y + 8
Now, group the first two terms and the last two terms.

15. We have two groups! (y2 + 2y)(+4y + 8)
Almost done! Find the GCF of each group and factor it out.
y(y + 2) +4(y + 2)
(y + 4)(y + 2)
Tadaaa! There’s your answer…(y + 4)(y + 2) You can check it by multiplying. Piece of cake, huh? There is a shortcut for some problems too! (I’m not showing you that yet…)
If things are done right, the parentheses should be the same.
Factor out the GCF’s. Write them in their own group.

16. 2) Factor x2 – 2x – 63 Create your MAMA table.
Multiply Add
Product of the first and last coefficients
Middle coefficient
-63, 1
-1, 63
-21, 3
-3, 21
-9, 7
-7, 9
-62 62
-18 18 -2 2
Signs need to be different since number is negative.

17. Replace the middle term with our working numbers. x2 – 2x – 63
x2 – 9x + 7x – 63
Group the terms.
(x2 – 9x) (+ 7x – 63)
Factor out the GCF
x(x – 9) +7(x – 9)
The parentheses are the same! Weeedoggie!
(x + 7)(x – 9)

18. Here are some hints to help you choose your factors in the MAMA table.
1) When the last term is positive, the factors will have the same sign as the middle term.
2) When the last term is negative, the factors will have different signs.

19. 2) Factor 5x2 - 17x + 14 Create your MAMA table.
Multiply Add
Product of the first and last coefficients
Middle coefficient
-1, -70
-2, -35
-7, -10
-71
-37
-17
Signs need to be the same as the middle sign since the product is positive.
Replace the middle term.
5x2 – 7x – 10x + 14
Group the terms.

20. The parentheses are the same! Weeedoggie! (x – 2)(5x – 7)
(5x2 – 7x) (– 10x + 14)
Factor out the GCF
x(5x – 7) -2(5x – 7)
The parentheses are the same! Weeedoggie!
(x – 2)(5x – 7)
Hopefully, these will continue to get easier the more you do them.

21. Factor x2 + 3x + 2 (x + 2)(x + 1) (x – 2)(x + 1) (x + 2)(x – 1)

22. Factor 2x2 + 9x + 10 (2x + 10)(x + 1) (2x + 5)(x + 2) (2x + 2)(x + 5)

23. Factor 6y2 – 13y – 5 (6y2 – 15y)(+2y – 5) (2y – 1)(3y – 5)

24. Find the GCF! 2(x2 – 7x + 6) Now do the MAMA table!
2) Factor 2x2 - 14x + 12
Find the GCF!
2(x2 – 7x + 6)
Now do the MAMA table!
Multiply Add
Signs need to be the same as the middle sign since the product is positive.
-1, -6
-2, -3 -7 -5
Replace the middle term.
2[x2 – x – 6x + 6]
Group the terms.

25. The parentheses are the same! Weeedoggie!
2[(x2 – x)(– 6x + 6)]
Factor out the GCF
2[x(x – 1) -6(x – 1)]
The parentheses are the same! Weeedoggie!
2(x – 6)(x – 1)
Don’t forget to follow your factoring chart when doing these problems. Always look for a GCF first!!