a=0 (easiest)
Explain the first step in factoring equations when a=1
Find two numbers that add to be the middle number and multiply to be the last number
Explain the first step in factoring equations when b=0
Take the square root of the last number, that's it!
Explain the first step in factoring equations when c=0
Find what is in common with both terms, in number and in powers of x
Explain the first step in factoring equations when a is not equal to 1.
Multiply a times c, or the first coefficient times the last one.
Factor this:
x^2 + 12x + 35
(x+7)(x+5)
Factor this: x^2 - 16
(x+4)(x-4)
Factor this:
3x^2 - 15x
3x(x-5)
Put the following steps in order:
(a) Split the middle term into the two numbers you calculated
(b) Factor the first two and last two terms by grouping, separately
(c) Find the two numbers that add to be the middle number and multiply to be the product a*c
(c), (a), then (b)
Factor this:
x^2 - 9x + 20
(x-4)(x-5)
Factor this: x^2-144
(x+12)(x-12)
Factor this:
12x^2 + 18x
6x(2x+3)
Factor this:
6x^2 + x - 12
(3x-4)(2x+3)
Factor this:
x^2 + 2x - 48
(x+8)(x-6)
Factor this: 9x^2 - 25
(3x+5)(3x-5)
Factor this:
-15x^2 + 9x
-3x(5x-3) or 3x(-5x+3)
Factor this:
3x^2 + 14x + 8
(3x+2)(x+4)