GR: Factoring vs Quadratic Formula

Factoring vs Quadratic Formula

Try Factoring First

• GCF

• Difference of Squares

• "T-Chart"

WHAT IF NONE OF THOSE METHODS WORK??????

Quadratic Formula

Quadratic Formula

(works every time but takes longer)

• Find the discriminate

• Plug everything into the quadratic formula

• Simplify (Calculator)

Which method is the BETTER CHOICE to try first?

Multiple Choice

Which method is the BETTER CHOICE to try first?

 $x^2+5x-6$  

• Factoring - GCF

• Factoring - Difference of Squares

• Factoring - "T-Chart"

• Quadratic Formula

 $x^2+5x-6$  

Why is Factoring - "T-Chart" the BEST CHOICE to try first?

• small numbers

• three terms

• easy to see that 6,-1 are the factors

Multiple Choice

Which method is the BETTER CHOICE to try first?

 $3x^2+5x-12$  

• Factoring - GCF

• Factoring - Difference of Squares

• Factoring - "T-Chart"

• Quadratic Formula

 $3x^2+5x-12$  

Why is Quadratic Formula the BEST CHOICE to try first?

• larger numbers

• three terms

• no GCF

• too hard to see the factor right off

Multiple Choice

Which method is the BETTER CHOICE to try first? $3x^2-12$  

• Factoring - GCF

• Factoring - Difference of Squares

• Factoring - "T-Chart"

• Quadratic Formula

 $3x^2-12$  

Why is Quadratic Formula the BEST CHOICE to try first?

• common factor of 3

• two terms

• small numbers

Multiple Choice

Which method is the BETTER CHOICE to try first? $x^2+81$  

• Factoring - GCF

• Factoring - Difference of Squares

• Factoring - "T-Chart"

• Quadratic Formula

 $x^2+81$  

Why is Quadratic Formula the BEST CHOICE to try first?

• perfect squares but NOT DIFFERENCE

• two terms

• no other method

Remember: Analyze then Execute

Step 1) Decide a best method

Step 2) Use that method to solve