1. Factoring by Grouping
Objective: After completing this section, students should be able to factor polynomials by grouping.
After completing these notes, you will be ready to do the following assignments. Assignment handout (front/back) all
Standard CA 11.0: Factor polynomials by grouping.

2. Steps for factoring by grouping:
1. A polynomial must have 4 terms to factor by grouping.
2. We factor the first two terms and the second two terms separately. Use the rules for GCF to factor these.

3. Examples: These two terms must be the same.

4. Examples:
These two terms must be the same.
You must always check to see if the expression is factored completely. This expression can still be factored using the rules for difference of two squares. (see 6.2)
This is a difference of two squares.

5. Examples: These two terms must be the same.
You can rearrange the terms so that they are the same.
These two terms must be the same.
But they are not the same. So this polynomial is not factorable.

6. Try These:
Factor by grouping.

7. Solutions:
If you did not get these answers, click the green button next to the solution to see it worked out.

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9. When you factor a negative out of a positive, you will get a negative.
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10. Now factor the difference of squares.
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