Study Guide:
Factoring Trinomials

 

To factor a trinomial of the form ax2 + bx + c follow Example 1 below.

To factor a trinomial of the form ax2 + bx + c where a = 1, you need to find only the factors of c whose sum is b.

The same pattern can be used to factor a trinomial ax2 + bx + c when a = 1 and c is negative. When this occurs, the factor of the trinomial are a difference and a sum.

Directions: Complete each expression.

2

+

− 5

− 8y

+ n)(7 −

2x)(a2 +


Directions: Factor each trinomial. if possible. If the trinomial cannot be factored using integers, write prime.

(y + 4)(y + 8)

(x − 3)(x + 2)

(x − 7)(x + 3)

(y + 11)(y + 11)

prime

(a − 8)(a − 8)

3x − 4)(x + 2)

(3h − 5)(6h + 1)

(2x + 5)(14x − 5)

(6x + 5)(8x − 3)

(4y − 7)(3 − y)

prime