Factoring

Study Guide: Types of Factoring (In-Depth with

Numbers Examples)
Factoring is an essential skill in algebra, and understanding different methods helps simplify
expressions and solve equations effectively. Below are detailed types of factoring with numerical
examples:
1. Common Factor Factoring
Definition: Identifying the greatest common factor (GCF) in an expression and
factoring it out.
Method: 1. Find the GCF of the coefficients 2. Identify common variables and their
lowest powers.
Example 1: 6 + 9
GCF = 3
Factored form: 3(2 + 3)
Example 2: 12 + 18
GCF = 6
Factored form: 6(2 + 3)
2. Difference of Squares
Definition: Applies to expressions of the form a^2 - b^2, which factors into (a - b)(a +
b).
Example 1: 9 - 36
Factors: (3 - 6)(3 + 6) = (-3)(9)
Example 2: 25 - 9
Factors: (5 - 3)(5 + 3) = (2)(8)
3. Perfect Square Trinomials
Definition: Quadratic expressions that can be factored into the square of a binomial.
Formulas:
(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2
(a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2
Example 1: 1 + 6 + 9
Factors: (1 + 3)^2
Example 2: 4 - 12 + 9
Factors: (2 - 3)^2
4. Trinomials
 Definition: Factorization of expressions in the form ax^2 + bx + c.
Method: Look for two numbers that multiply to 'ac' and add to 'b'.
Example 1: 1 + 5 + 6
Factors: (1 + 2)(1 + 3)
Example 2: 2 + 11 + 5
Find two numbers that multiply to 2*5 = 10 and add to 11 ⇒ 10 and 1
Rewrite: 2 + 10 + 1 + 5
Group: 2(1 + 5) + 1(1 + 5)
Factored form: (2 + 1)(1 + 5)
5. Sum and Difference of Cubes
Definition: Special formulas for factoring cubed expressions.
Formulas:
a^3 + b^3 = (a + b)(a^2 - ab + b^2)
a^3 - b^3 = (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)
Example 1: 1 + 8
a = 1, b = 2
Factored form: (1 + 2)(1 - 1 + 4)
Example 2: 27 - 1
a = 3, b = 1
Factored form: (3 - 1)(9 + 3 + 1)
6. Grouping
Definition: A method to factor polynomials with four or more terms by grouping terms
that have common factors.
Method: Group the terms and factor out the GCF from each group.
Example 1: 1 - 3 + 2 - 6
Group: (1 - 3) + (2 - 6)
Factor: (-2) + (-4)
Factored form: (-2)(1 - 2)
Example 2: 1 + 2 + 3 + 6
Group: (1 + 2) + (3 + 6)
Factor: (3) + (9)
Factored form: (3)(1 + 2)
Conclusion
Understanding and practicing these methods of factoring will enhance your math skills and assist
you in solving polynomial equations efficiently. Regular practice and application will help solidify
these concepts.
Study Guide: Types of Factoring (In-Depth with
Numbers Examples)
Factoring is an essential skill in algebra, and understanding different methods helps simplify
expressions and solve equations effectively. Below are detailed types of factoring with numerical
examples:
1. Common Factor Factoring
 Definition: Identifying the greatest common factor (GCF) in an expression and
factoring it out.
Method: 1. Find the GCF of the coefficients 2. Identify common variables and their
lowest powers.
Example 1: 6 + 9
GCF = 3
Factored form: 3(2 + 3)
Example 2: 12 + 18
GCF = 6
Factored form: 6(2 + 3)
2. Difference of Squares
Definition: Applies to expressions of the form a^2 - b^2, which factors into (a - b)(a +
b).
Example 1: 9 - 36
Factors: (3 - 6)(3 + 6) = (-3)(9)
Example 2: 25 - 9
Factors: (5 - 3)(5 + 3) = (2)(8)
3. Perfect Square Trinomials
Definition: Quadratic expressions that can be factored into the square of a binomial.
Formulas:
(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2
(a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2
Example 1: 1 + 6 + 9
Factors: (1 + 3)^2
Example 2: 4 - 12 + 9
Factors: (2 - 3)^2
4. Trinomials
Definition: Factorization of expressions in the form ax^2 + bx + c.
Method: Look for two numbers that multiply to 'ac' and add to 'b'.
Example 1: 1 + 5 + 6
Factors: (1 + 2)(1 + 3)
Example 2: 2 + 11 + 5
Find two numbers that multiply to 2*5 = 10 and add to 11 ⇒ 10 and 1
Rewrite: 2 + 10 + 1 + 5
Group: 2(1 + 5) + 1(1 + 5)
Factored form: (2 + 1)(1 + 5)
5. Sum and Difference of Cubes
Definition: Special formulas for factoring cubed expressions.
Formulas:
a^3 + b^3 = (a + b)(a^2 - ab + b^2)
a^3 - b^3 = (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)
Example 1: 1 + 8
a = 1, b = 2
 Factored form: (1 + 2)(1 - 1 + 4)
Example 2: 27 - 1
a = 3, b = 1
Factored form: (3 - 1)(9 + 3 + 1)
6. Grouping
Definition: A method to factor polynomials with four or more terms by grouping terms
that have common factors.
Method: Group the terms and factor out the GCF from each group.
Example 1: 1 - 3 + 2 - 6
Group: (1 - 3) + (2 - 6)
Factor: (-2) + (-4)
Factored form: (-2)(1 - 2)
Example 2: 1 + 2 + 3 + 6
Group: (1 + 2) + (3 + 6)
Factor: (3) + (9)
Factored form: (3)(1 + 2)
When to Use Different Types of Factoring
Understanding when to use each type of factoring is crucial for effectively simplifying
expressions and solving equations in algebra. Here are general guidelines for each method:
1. Common Factor Factoring
Use When: An expression has coefficients or variables that share a common
factor. It is often the first step before applying other factoring methods.
Example Situation: When faced with a polynomial like 12x + 18, look for the
GCF, which is 6, and factor it out to simplify further.
2. Difference of Squares
Use When: You have an expression in the form of a^2 - b^2. It’s a quick way
to factor binomials.
Example Situation: For the expression 16 - 9, recognize it as a difference of
squares and factor it into (4 - 3)(4 + 3).
3. Perfect Square Trinomials
Use When: You encounter a trinomial that can be recognized as a perfect
square. This generally applies to quadratics that appear as a^2 ± 2ab + b^2.
Example Situation: For x^2 + 6x + 9, identify it as (x + 3)^2.
4. Trinomials
Use When: You have a quadratic of the form ax^2 + bx + c. The focus
should be on finding two numbers that fit the conditions of multiplication
and addition.
Example Situation: When factoring x^2 + 7x + 10, you can find the numbers
5 and 2 that add to 7 and multiply to 10.
5. Sum and Difference of Cubes
Use When: You have expressions of the form a^3 ± b^3. Leveraging
specific formulas can simplify these quickly.
Example Situation: For 8 + 27, recognize it as a sum of cubes and apply the
formula to factor it into (2 + 3)(4 - 6 + 9).
6. Grouping
Use When: Dealing with polynomials containing four or more terms. Group
terms that can easily be factored out.
 Example Situation: In x^3 + x^2 - x - 1, group (x^3 + x^2) and (-x - 1) to
factor by grouping.
Conclusion
Choosing the correct factoring method depends on the structure of the polynomial or expression
presented. Recognizing the format and applying the appropriate factoring technique can
significantly simplify algebraic expressions.