1. Factoring Polynomials Expressions and Equations

2. Factoring Polynomials Factoring polynomials is the opposite of multiplying them… It’s backwards multiplication or backwards distribution. We can check factoring by re-multiplying our expression. Always check for a greatest common factor. Once you’ve pulled out the greatest common factor, you need to find a pair of numbers that adds to give you the middle term and multiplies to give you the product of the first and last terms. Rewrite the middle term as a sum of the pair of numbers you found. Group terms together and pull out the greatest common factor.

3. Practice

10. A Quick Note… Sometimes, polynomials are not factorable. In these cases we either write “prime” or “not factorable” and move on. There may or may not be some like this on your homework. If you come across a polynomial that you can’t factor, it’s probably prime.

11. Homework Questions

13. Correcting Homework Let’s correct! Be diligent. Be kind. Be honest.