Algebra I All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 13

Factoring Trinomials and Special Polynomials

IN THIS CHAPTER

Zeroing in on the greatest common factor

Reversing FOIL for a factorization

Assigning terms to groups to factor them

Making use of multiple methods to factor

In Chapter 12, you find the basic ways to factor a binomial (an expression with two terms). Factoring means to change the expression from several terms to one expression connected by multiplication and division. When dealing with a polynomial with four terms, such as , the four terms become one when you write the factored form using multiplication: . The factored form has many advantages, especially when you want to simplify fractions, solve equations, or graph functions.

When working with an algebraic expression with three terms (a trinomial) or more, you have a number of different methods available for factoring it. You generally start with the greatest common ...