Factoring Polynomials

Factoring Question

Factor out the GCF

How many terms?

2 terms

\(a^2+b^2=prime\)

\(a^2-b^2=(a+b)(a-b)\)

\(a^3+b^3=(a+b)(a^2-ab+b^2)\)

\(a^3-b^3=(a-b)(a^2+ab+b^2)\)

Prime

3 terms

4 terms

Grouping

Rearrange

Grouping

Prime

\(a^2+2ab+b^2=(a+b)^2\)

\(a^2-2ab+b^2=(a-b)^2\)

Is the leading coefficient = 1?

AC Method

STM Method

Y

N