Common Factoring
Brief video with Common Factoring examples here
Difference of Squares Factoring
Brief video with Difference of Squares Factoring examples here
Factoring by Grouping
Brief video with Factoring by Grouping examples here
Trinomial Factoring
Part I: Trinominal Factoring Where the Leading Coefficient is 1
1. Factor each of the following trinomials:
a) x^2 + 9x + 14 b) x^2 - 11x + 30 c) x^2 + 4x - 45 d) x^2 - x - 42
Solutions to these questions can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbdxMp3tFDw&list=UUm-Z_cRxySqM3GkXMKmDPUg&index=30&feature=plcp
Part II: Trinomial Factoring Where the Leading Coefficient is not 1 and does factor out (i.e., common factor first)
1. Factor each of the following trinomials:
a) 3x^2 + 18x + 27 b) -2x^2 + 10x - 12 c) 4x^2 + 4x - 288 d) -x^2 + x + 2
Solutions to these questions can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMo98cTadOg&list=UUm-Z_cRxySqM3GkXMKmDPUg&index=29&feature=plcp
Part III: Trinomial Factoring when Leading Coefficient not 1 and does not factor out
Three methods of attacking these problems are
- Decomposition (Video Lesson on the Decomposition Method)
- Criss-cross method
- Trial and error
Different people will attack these problems differently. It's probably wise to try the method of decomposition for particularly challenging problems.
Some more opportunities are included below with quick video solutions using each of the methods described above. Try them before clicking on the video solutions :)
Method of Decomposition (Quick Videos)
Criss-Cross Method (Quick Videos)
Method of Trial and Error (Quick Videos)