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By the end of this section, you will be able to:
  • Recognize and use the appropriate method to factor a polynomial completely

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

  1. Factor y 2 2 y 24 .
    If you missed this problem, review [link] .
  2. Factor 3 t 2 + 17 t + 10 .
    If you missed this problem, review [link] .
  3. Factor 36 p 2 60 p + 25 .
    If you missed this problem, review [link] .
  4. Factor 5 x 2 80 .
    If you missed this problem, review [link] .

Recognize and use the appropriate method to factor a polynomial completely

You have now become acquainted with all the methods of factoring that you will need in this course. (In your next algebra course, more methods will be added to your repertoire.) The figure below summarizes all the factoring methods we have covered. [link] outlines a strategy you should use when factoring polynomials.

This figure presents a general strategy for factoring polynomials. First, at the top, there is GCF, which is where factoring starts. Below this, there are three options, binomial, trinomial, and more than three terms. For binomial, there are the difference of two squares, the sum of squares, the sum of cubes, and the difference of cubes. For trinomials, there are two forms, x squared plus bx plus c and ax squared 2 plus b x plus c. There are also the sum and difference of two squares formulas as well as the “a c” method. Finally, for more than three terms, the method is grouping.

Factor polynomials.

  1. Is there a greatest common factor?
    • Factor it out.
  2. Is the polynomial a binomial, trinomial, or are there more than three terms?
    • If it is a binomial:
      Is it a sum?
      • Of squares? Sums of squares do not factor.
      • Of cubes? Use the sum of cubes pattern.
      Is it a difference?
      • Of squares? Factor as the product of conjugates.
      • Of cubes? Use the difference of cubes pattern.
    • If it is a trinomial:
      Is it of the form x 2 + b x + c ? Undo FOIL.
      Is it of the form a x 2 + b x + c ?
      • If a and c are squares, check if it fits the trinomial square pattern.
      • Use the trial and error or “ac” method.
    • If it has more than three terms:
      Use the grouping method.
  3. Check.
    • Is it factored completely?
    • Do the factors multiply back to the original polynomial?

Remember, a polynomial is completely factored if, other than monomials, its factors are prime!

Factor completely: 4 x 5 + 12 x 4 .

Solution

Is there a GCF? Yes, 4 x 4 . 4 x 5 + 12 x 4 Factor out the GCF. 4 x 4 ( x + 3 ) In the parentheses, is it a binomial, a trinomial, or are there more than three terms? Binomial. Is it a sum? Yes. Of squares? Of cubes? No. Check. Is the expression factored completely? Yes. Multiply. 4 x 4 ( x + 3 ) 4 x 4 · x + 4 x 4 · 3 4 x 5 + 12 x 4

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Factor completely: 3 a 4 + 18 a 3 .

3 a 3 ( a + 6 )

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Factor completely: 45 b 6 + 27 b 5 .

9 b 5 ( 5 b + 3 )

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Factor completely: 12 x 2 11 x + 2 .

Solution

.
Is there a GCF? No.
Is it a binomial, trinomial, or are
there more than three terms?
Trinomial.
Are a and c perfect squares? No, a = 12,
not a perfect square.
Use trial and error or the “ac” method.
We will use trial and error here.
.

This table has the heading of 12 x squared minus 11 x plus 2 and gives the possible factors. The first column is labeled possible factors and the second column is labeled product. Four rows have not an option in the product column. This is explained by the text, “if the trinomial has no common factors, then neither factor can contain a common factor”. The last factors, 3 x - 2 in parentheses and 4 x - 1 in parentheses, give the product of 12 x squared minus 11 x plus 2.

Check.

( 3 x 2 ) ( 4 x 1 )

12 x 2 3 x 8 x + 2

12 x 2 11 x + 2

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Factor completely: 10 a 2 17 a + 6 .

( 5 a 6 ) ( 2 a 1 )

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Factor completely: 8 x 2 18 x + 9 .

( 2 x 3 ) ( 4 x 3 )

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Factor completely: g 3 + 25 g .

Solution

Is there a GCF? Yes, g . g 3 + 25 g Factor out the GCF. g ( g 2 + 25 ) In the parentheses, is it a binomial, trinomial, or are there more than three terms? Binomial. Is it a sum ? Of squares? Yes. Sums of squares are prime. Check. Is the expression factored completely? Yes. Multiply. g ( g 2 + 25 ) g 3 + 25 g

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Factor completely: x 3 + 36 x .

x ( x 2 + 36 )

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Factor completely: 27 y 2 + 48 .

3 ( 9 y 2 + 16 )

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Factor completely: 12 y 2 75 .

Solution

Is there a GCF? Yes, 3. 12 y 2 75 Factor out the GCF. 3 ( 4 y 2 25 ) In the parentheses, is it a binomial, trinomial , or are there more than three terms? Binomial. Is it a sum? No. Is it a difference? Of squares or cubes? Yes, squares. 3 ( ( 2 y ) 2 ( 5 ) 2 ) Write as a product of conjugates. 3 ( 2 y 5 ) ( 2 y + 5 ) Check. Is the expression factored completely? Yes. Neither binomial is a difference of squares. Multiply. 3 ( 2 y 5 ) ( 2 y + 5 ) 3 ( 4 y 2 25 ) 12 y 2 75

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Source:  OpenStax, Elementary algebra. OpenStax CNX. Jan 18, 2017 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12116/1.2
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