Factoring

=Steps to Factoring Quadratics=

1) Is there a GCF?
Divide the GCF out of each term, putting it in front and the remaining values in parentheses. DON'T LOSE IT!

2) Is it DOTS? a^2 - b^2 = (a+b)(a-b)
- 2 terms - minus sign - perfect squares

3) Trinomials (a = 1)
a. Write two parentheses b. Factor the first term. Put them in the front. c. Factor the last term... sign as the middle term.
 * If the term is +, choose the factors that ADD to the middle term. BOTH signs will be the same as the middle term.
 * If the term is -, choose the factors that SUBTRACT to the middle term. Only the LARGER factor will be the same

4) Trinomials (a > 1)
THE POCKET METHOD (Here's the video for the "Illegal Move") a. Take out any GCF (including -1). b. Multiply "a" (the coefficient of the first term) into "c" (the constant). c. Factor the trinomial normally. d. Divide "a" from each factor. First simplify, then move any remaining denominator to the front of the variable.