1. What is Tic-Tac-Toe?

2. Tic-Tac-Toe and Factoring
What is tic-tac-toe?
Game with x’s and o’s
Method used to factor trinomials (series of steps to help you factor faster)
Why use it?
When used correctly, it is virtually fool proof
It organizes your work
Check it after you fill in

3. FIRST TERM INCLUDE SIGN!! MIDDLE TERM INCLUDE SIGN!! LAST TERM
if subtracting OR
the larger factor
you the sign of
This sign tells
Both factors
If adding.
This sign tells
Subtract the
You to add or
Factors.
FIRST TERM
INCLUDE SIGN!!
MIDDLE TERM
INCLUDE SIGN!!
LAST TERM

4. Let’s look at the parts of the board.
This is where it all begins!!
Row 1
Then proceed from here.
Column 3
Each row will multiply across
Each column will factor down!!
(almost like a magic square puzzle)

5. First term in first spot. Last term in next spot.
Row 1
First term in first spot.
Last term in next spot.
Multiply these two and place the product in the last spot.
Column 3
These factors must add or subtract to give you the middle term in the problem. List all the factors of this number, when you find the two numbers that add or subtract to give the middle term, you have the correct factors.
Be sure to watch your signs to know whether to add or subtract the factors and to know the signs of the factors you are using.

6. Let’s outline the steps.
Row 1 – First term in first spot, last term in 2nd spot. Now multiply together and place answer in last spot.
Column 3 – Factor the term in the first spot. List all the factors of this number then choose the two that add or subtract (depending on your signs) to give you the middle term in the problem.
Row 2 – Spot 2 and 3 have the SAME SIGN.
Row 3 – Spot 2 and 3 have the SAME SIGN.
Now factor Columns 1 and 2. It doesn’t matter which one you do first. When you have finished, multiply across Row 2 and Row 3. When multiplied together, spot 1 and 2 will always equal spot 3.
You can also check yourself by multiplying UP each column since multiplying is opposite of factoring.

7. Place first term in first spot Place last term in next spot
We will be looking at the factors of “c” that we can add together to get “b”
This signs shows
Both signs
Will be neg
This sign tells
you to add
The factors.
Place first term in first spot
Place last term in next spot
Multiply these two
Determine signs that go in blocks
Now factor down column 3. List all the factors and choose the ones that will add/subtract to give you the middle term.
Next, factor the middle column down.
Last, factor the first column down.
Check yourself, multiply ACROSS (L to R) all rows and UP all columns to see if you get the correct products.
Multi across
Multi up
Multi up
Add/sub
To get
Middle
term
Multi across

8. SIGNS!! ax2 + bx – c ax2 + bx + c ax2 - bx - c ax2 - bx + c Both will
Negative
“c”
Positive
“c”
ax2 + bx – c
ax2 - bx - c
ax2 + bx + c
ax2 - bx + c
LOOK HERE
FIRST!!!
Add factors
Same
Signs
Both will Be
positive
LOOK HERE
FIRST!!!
Subtract factors
Opposite
Signs
Larger # will Be
positive
LOOK HERE
FIRST!!!
Add factors
Same
Signs
Both will Be
Negative
Larger # will Be
Negative
LOOK HERE
FIRST!!!
Subtract factors
Opposite
Signs

9. To determine your signs

10. To determine your signs

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