Summary of Steps to Factor Quadratic Trinomials

1.      Remove Common Factors if possible

2.      If the coefficient of the x² term is 1, then

x² + bx + c = (x + n)(x + m), where n and m

·         Multiply to give c

·         Add to give b

3.      If the coefficient of the x² term is not 1, then use either

1.      Guess-and Check

1.     List the factors of the coefficient of the x² term

2.     List the factors of the constant term

3.     Test all the possible binomials you can make from these factors

2.      Factoring by Grouping

1.      Find the product ac

2.      Find two factors of ac that add to give b

3.      Split the middle term into two terms, using the numbers found in step

4.      Group the four terms into two pairs

5.      Factor out the common binomial