Polynomials: Factoring Trinomials

To factor trinomials, you can use following methods:

-  “FOIL”:

-  “Difference of Squares”:

-  “Reverse FOIL”:
 

Examples:
Example 1.  Factor this trinomial.
Solution: Break the expression into groups. You need to find two numbers that their product is and their sum is . (remember “Reverse FOIL”: ). Those two numbers are and. Then:

Now factor out from : , and factor out from
: ; Then:
Now factor out like term: . Then:

Example 2.  Factor this trinomial.
Solution: Break the expression into groups:
Now factor out from : , and factor out from
: ; Then: , now factor out like term: