1. Factoring Review 1 2 3 Review Tying it All Together
Shortcut for the Shortcuts

2. Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
Look for the largest common number and/or variables in each term
Divide each term by the common terms

3. Rainbow Method (2nd degree Polynomial)

4. Special Rules
Difference of Squares
Perfect Square Trinomials

5. Nothing! Special Rules Which formula do you use to factor:
Difference, Not Sum
+, Not -

6. 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!

7. Shortcut to the Shortcut
Perfect Square Trinomial Check (Middle Term)

8. Example