Factoring Special Cases

Front

What is ALWAYS the first step when factoring?

Back

Look for the GCF (Greatest Common Factor)

Front

Factor: x² - 25

Back

(x + 5)(x - 5) - This is a difference of squares.

Front

Factor: x² - 16

Back

(x - 4)(x + 4) - This is a difference of squares.

Front

Which of the following trinomials is a perfect square trinomial? r² - 6r + 36, 4y² + 10y + 25, x² + 16x + 16, 9a² - 12a + 4

Back

9a² - 12a + 4 - This can be factored as (3a - 2)².

Front

Factor: 3x² - 75

Back

3(x + 5)(x - 5) - Factor out the GCF first.

Front

What is a perfect square trinomial?

Back

A trinomial that can be expressed as the square of a binomial, e.g., (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b².

Front

What is the formula for the difference of squares?

Back

a² - b² = (a + b)(a - b).

Front

Factor: x² + 10x + 25

Back

(x + 5)(x + 5) - This is a perfect square trinomial.

Front

What does GCF stand for in factoring?

Back

GCF stands for Greatest Common Factor, the largest factor that divides all terms.

Front

Factor: x² - 9x + 20

Back

(x - 4)(x - 5) - Find two numbers that multiply to 20 and add to -9.