Wetzel

Math 101

6.2 – Factoring Trinomials where a = 1

General trinomial :                    

These will factor into the form:  

Foiling Review:

                                    =

Steps to factor a trinomial:

1.)  Factor Out any Common Factors making sure the leading term is positive

2.)  List the factors of the constant or last term.  (write them as pairs)

3.)  Determine which pair of factors can be added together or subtracted to get the middle term of the polynomial, b.  These factors will be m and n.

4.)  Determine the signs in the binomials.

                         =  (x + m)(x + n)

                         =  (x  -m)(x - n)

                         and  =  (x + m)(x - n) or (x - m)(x + n)

5.)  Check your factoring by multiplying back through.

Factoring is the opposite of Foiling:

            factor  

Ex.:

1.)          2.)          3.)         

4.)           5.)          6.)