FACTORING

QUADRATIC
TRINOMIALS
ALDRINSALIBIO
MMXX - MMXXI
Multiplying Binomials (FOIL)
Multiply. (x+3)(x+2)

Distribute. x•x+x•2+3•x+3•2
F O I L
= x2+ 2x + 3x + 6

= x2+ 5x + 6
FOIL
• 1) (x-2)(x+1)

• 2) (x+2) (x-7)

• 3) (x-4)(x-7)
Let’s work backwards….
• Here is a quadratic…..thinking about FOIL and what that
means, can you find the two original binomials that were
multiplied to get the quadratic?
• x2 - 7x + 12
• Did you check your work?
 Factoring Trinomials
Again, we will factor trinomials such as
x2 + 7x + 12 back into binomials.

We look for the pattern of products and sums!

If the x2 term has no coefficient (other than 1)...

x2 + 7x + 12

Step 1: List all pairs of 12 = 1 • 12

numbers that multiply to
=2•6
equal the constant, 12.
=3•4
 Factoring Trinomials
x2 + 7x + 12

Step 2: Choose the pair that 12 = 1 • 12

adds up to the middle
=2•6
coefficient.
=3•4

Step 3: Fill those numbers

into the blanks in the ( x + 3 )( x + 4 )
binomials:

x2 + 7x + 12 = ( x + 3)( x + 4)
 Factoring Trinomials
Factor. x2 + 2x - 24

This time, the constant is negative!

Step 1: List all pairs of -24 = 1 • -24, -1 • 24
numbers that multiply to equal
the constant, -24. (To get -24, = 2 • -12, -2 • 12
one number must be positive and = 3 • -8, -3 • 8
one negative.)
= 4 • -6, - 4 • 6
Step 2: Which pair adds up to 2?

Step 3: Write the binomial x2 + 2x - 24 = ( x - 4)( x + 6)

factors.
Factoring Trinomials (Method 2*)
Factor. 3x2 + 14x + 8
This time, the x2 term DOES have a coefficient (other than 1)!

Step 1: Multiply 3 • 8 = 24 24 = 1 • 24
(the leading coefficient & constant).
= 2 • 12
Step 2: List all pairs of =3•8
numbers that multiply to equal
that product, 24. =4•6

Step 3: Which pair adds up to 14?

Factoring Trinomials (Method 2*)
Factor. 3x2 + 14x + 8

Step 4: Write temporary ( x + 2 )( x + 12 )

factors with the two numbers. 3 3
Step 5: Put the original 4
leading coefficient (3) under ( x + 2 )( x + 12 )
both numbers. 3 3
Step 6: Reduce the fractions, if ( x + 2 )( x + 4 )
possible. 3
Step 7: Move denominators in ( 3x + 2 )( x + 4 )
front of x.
Factoring Trinomials (Method 2*)
Factor. 3x2 + 14x + 8

You should always check the factors by distributing, especially

since this process has more than a couple of steps.

( 3x + 2 )( x + 4 ) = 3x • x + 3x • 4 + 2 • x + 2 • 4
= 3x2 + 14 x + 8 √

3x2 + 14x + 8 = (3x + 2)(x +

4)
Factoring Trinomials (Method 2*)
Factor 3x2 + 11x + 4
This time, the x2 term DOES have a coefficient (other than 1)!

Step 1: Multiply 3 • 4 = 12 12 = 1 • 12
(the leading coefficient & constant).
=2•6
Step 2: List all pairs of
numbers that multiply to equal =3•4
that product, 12.
Step 3: Which pair adds up to 11?

None of the pairs add up to 11, this trinomial

can’t be factored; it is PRIME.
 Factor These Trinomials!
Factor each trinomial, if possible. Watch out for signs!!

1) t2 – 4t – 21
2) x2 + 12x + 32
3) x2 –10x + 24
4) - x2 - 3x + 18
5) 2x2 + x – 21
6) 3x2 + 11x + 10
 Solution #1: t2 – 4t – 21

1) Factors of -21: 1 • -21, -1 • 21

3 • -7, -3 • 7

2) Which pair adds to (- 4)?

3) Write the factors.

t2 – 4t – 21 = (t + 3)(t - 7)
 Solution #2: x2 + 12x + 32

1) Factors of 32: 1 • 32
2 • 16
4•8
2) Which pair adds to 12 ?

3) Write the factors.

x2 + 12x + 32 = (x + 4)(x + 8)
 Solution #3: x2 - 10x + 24

1) Factors of 24 1 • 24 -1 • -24
2 • 12 -2 • -12
3•8 -3 • -8
4•6 -4 • -6
2) Which pair adds to -10 ? None of them adds to (-10). For
the numbers to multiply to +24
and add to -10, they must both be
negative!
3) Write the factors.

x2 - 10x + 24 = (x - 4)(x - 6)
 Solution #4: -x2 - 3x + 18

1) Factors of -18:
2) Factors of -18: 1 • -18, -1 • 18
2 • -9, -2 • 9
3 • -6, -3 • 6

3) Which pair adds to 3 ?

4) Write the factors.

x2 + 3x - 18 = -1 (x - 3)(x + 6)
 Solution #5: 2x2 + x - 21
1) Multiply 2 • (-21) = - 42; 1 • -42, -1 • 42
list factors of - 42. 2 • -21, -2 • 21
3 • -14, -3 • 14
2) Which pair adds to 1 ? 6 • -7, -6 • 7

3) Write the temporary factors. ( x - 6)( x + 7)

2 2
4) Put “2” underneath. 3
( x - 6)( x + 7)
5) Reduce (if possible).
2 2
6) Move denominator(s)in ( x - 3)( 2x + 7)
front of “x”.

2x2 + x - 21 = (x - 3)(2x + 7)
 Solution #6: 3x2 + 11x +
10
1) Multiply 3 • 10 = 30; 1 • 30
list factors of 30. 2 • 15
3 • 10
2) Which pair adds to 11 ? 5•6

3) Write the temporary factors. ( x + 5)( x + 6)

3 3
4) Put “3” underneath. 2
( x + 5)( x + 6)
5) Reduce (if possible).
3 3
6) Move denominator(s)in ( 3x + 5)( x + 2)
front of “x”.

3x2 + 11x + 10 = (3x + 5)(x + 2)

Trinomials are written as ax2 + bx + c. However, a, b, and c may be positive
or negative. Thus a trinomial may actually appear as:
ax2 + bx + c
ax2 - bx + c
ax2 - bx - c
ax2 + bx - c
Trinomials of ■ Factoring Trinomials of the Type
the Type ax2 + bx + c

ax2 + bx + c ■ Equations and Functions

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

METHOD 2: The ac-Method

Slide 6- 21
• To Factor ax2 + bx + c, Using the
• ac-Method
• 1. Factor out the largest common factor, if
one exists.
• 2. Multiply the leading coefficient a and the
constant c.
• 3. Find a pair of factors ac whose sum is b.
• 4. Rewrite the middle term as a sum or a
difference using the factors found in step
(3).
• 5. Factor by grouping.
• 6. Include any common factor from step (1)
and check by multiplying.
 Example Factor 4x2  5x  6
Solution
1. First, we note that there is no common factor (other
than 1 or 1).

2. Multiply the leading coefficient, 4 and the

constant, 6:
(4)(6) = 24.

3. Try to factor 24 so that the sum of the factors is 5:

Slide 6- 23
continued Factor 4x2  5x  6
3. Pairs of Factors Sums of
of 24 Factors
1, 24 23
1, 24 23
2, 12 10
2, 12 10
3, 8 5
We would normally
3, 8 5 stop listing pairs of
4, 6 2 factors once we have
found the one we are
4, 6 2 after.
Slide 6- 24
continued Factor 4x2  5x  6
•4. Split 5x using the results of step (3):
• 5x = 8x + 3x.
•5. Factor by grouping:
• 4x2  5x  6 = 4x2  8x + 3x  6
• = 4x(x  2) + 3(x  2)
• = (x  2)(4x + 3)
•We check the solution by multiplying or using a table.
Check: (x  2)(4x + 3) = 4x2 + 3x  8x  6
• = 4x2  5x  6
•The factorization of 4x2  5x  6 is (x  2)(4x + 3).

Slide 6- 25
Example Factor 8x3 + 10x2  12x
Solution
1. We factor out the greatest common factor, 2x:
8x3 + 10x2  12x = 2x(4x2 + 5x  6)
2. To factor 4x2 + 5x  6 by grouping, we multiply
the leading coefficient, 4 and the constant term
(6): 4(6) = 24.
3. We next look for pairs of
Pairs of Sums of
factors of 24 whose Factors of Factors
sum is 5. 24
3, 8 5
3, 8 5
Slide 6- 26
continued Factor 8x3 + 10x2  12x
4. We then rewrite the middle term: 4x2 + 5x  6 using
5x = 3x + 8x

5. Factor by grouping:
4x2 + 5x  6 = 4x2  3x + 8x  6
= x(4x  3) + 2(4x  3)
= (x + 2)(4x  3)

6. The factorization of the original trinomial

8x3 + 10x2  12x = 2x(x + 2)(4x  3).
Slide 6- 27