Factoring
Factoring
When a is not 1
If a is not equal to 1, first check to see if a common factor can be factored out of the equation. For example, in y = 2x2 + 8x + 8 notice that a, b, and c are all even numbers and therefore all have a factor of 2. The factor of two can be divided out before factoring the remaining equation. After factoring out the two, the equation becomes y = 2(x2 + 4x +4). Now the equation that remains has an a-value of 1 and can be factored like the previous two examples.
If there is not a factor common to all the terms, all three coefficients must be used to determine the factors. First multiply a and c , then find the factor pair of ac that has a sum of b . Substitute this factor pair into the original equation in place of the b and then factor by grouping the first two terms and the last two terms and determining the GCF of each.
If there is not a factor common to all the terms, all three coefficients must be used to determine the factors. First multiply a and c , then find the factor pair of ac that has a sum of b . Substitute this factor pair into the original equation in place of the b and then factor by grouping the first two terms and the last two terms and determining the GCF of each.