Algebra IIFactoring Strategy

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Learning these guidelines has been directly linked to greater Algebra success!!

Part1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

I. Always look for GCF First !

II. Consider the Number of terms

A. Two Terms

1. Difference of Squares

2. Difference of

3. Sum of

4. There is NOT a sum of Squares!

B. Three Terms

1. Trinomial Square

2. Trial & /Reverse Type x² + bx + c

Type ax² + bx + c

C. Four or More Terms

1. Difference of Squares AGAIN

2. Factoring by

III. Make Sure to Factor

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1. Difference of Squares

2. Difference of CubesA3 – B3 ↔ (A – B)(A² + AB +

B²)

3. Sum of CubesA3 + B3 ↔ (A + B)(A²

- AB + B²) 5

Numbers

Variables (powers that are multiples of ______)(x1)3 ↔ x3 (x2)3 ↔ x6

(x3)3 ↔ x9

etc.

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Z3 – 1

8 – 27t3

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Reverse FOIL

First blanks filled with x Determine signs from c

If c is negative, then one positive & one negative If c is positive, then signs are the same look @

tiebreaker+,+ if bx is positive-,- if bx is negative

List factors of c Fill in last blanks with factors of c Try till you get the right middle term bx

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y² + 8y + 15

d² - 14d + 45

t² - 15 – 2t

56 + x – x²

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xy + xz + wy + wz

2xy – x2y – 6 + 3x

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