GCF
Factor
Factor More
Patterns
Cubes
Blueprints
100

2x2 + 14x

2x(x + 7)

100

What is the first step when factoring?

Look for a GCF

100

 3x2 - 19x - 14

(3x + 2)(x - 7)

100

This is the first step of factoring ALWAYS

Look for a GCF 

100

When do you use "factor by grouping"?

when the expression has x3 with 4 terms

100

What is the template for factoring trinomials?

Two sets of empty parentheses

(    )(    )

200

8a - 16

8(a - 2)

200

-x- 4x + 12 

-(x - 2)(x + 6)

200

If a problem doesn't have a GCF, but it does have a number in front of the x2, what do you do?

Magic X (X Method)

200

x- 25 

(x - 5)(x + 5)

200

x3 + x2 - 4x - 4

(x - 2)(x + 2)(x + 1)

200

What is the template for factoring a difference of two squares?

(  +  )(  -  )

300

Where is the leading coefficient found?

The number in front of the x2 term

300

4x2 + 24x + 32

4(x + 2)(x + 4)

300

3x- 10x + 8

(3x - 4)(x - 2)

300

2x- 200

2(x - 10)(x + 10)

300

8x3 - 2x+ 4x - 1

(2x2 + 1)(4x - 1)

300

What is the template for factoring a perfect square trinomial?

(     )2

400

6x- 30x + 36

6(x - 2)(x - 3)

400

-3x+ 30x + 72

-3(x - 12)(x + 2)

400

-8x2 - 18x - 9

-(4x + 3)(2x + 3)

400

81x- 126x + 49

(9x - 7)2

400

27x- 18x2 - 12x + 8

(3x +2)(3x-2)2

400

How do you make a Magic X

Multiply first and last, goes on top

Middle coefficient goes on bottom

Leading coefficient is the denominator and goes left and right

500

-15x+ 5x

-5x(3x - 1)

500

4x- 16x +15 

(2x - 5)(2x - 3)

500

4x2 - 4x + 15

prime

500

Define "difference of two squares". How is it factored?

binomial with two perfect squares subtracted

(  +  )(  -  )

500

9x- 63x2 + 49x - 343

(x - 7)(9x2 + 49)

500

What's the most important (and last) step with the Magic X

REDUCE REDUCE REDUCE

bottom goes first, top goes second

If no bottom, then no number in front of x

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