Factoring Trinomials (a=1)

Front

What is a trinomial?

Back

A trinomial is a polynomial that consists of three terms, typically in the form ax^2 + bx + c.

Front

What does it mean to factor a trinomial?

Back

Factoring a trinomial involves rewriting it as a product of two binomials.

Front

What is the general form of a trinomial when a=1?

Back

The general form is x^2 + bx + c.

Front

How do you identify the coefficients in a trinomial of the form x^2 + bx + c?

Back

In the trinomial x^2 + bx + c, 'b' is the coefficient of x and 'c' is the constant term.

Front

What is the first step in factoring a trinomial?

Back

The first step is to find two numbers that multiply to 'c' and add to 'b'.

Front

How do you factor the trinomial x^2 - a - b?

Back

You need to find two numbers that multiply to -b and add to -a.

Front

What is the factored form of x^2 + 5x + 4?

Back

(x + 4)(x + 1) is the factored form.

Front

What is the factored form of x^2 - 8x + 12?

Back

(x - 6)(x - 2) is the factored form.

Front

What is the significance of the signs in the factors of a trinomial?

Back

The signs indicate whether the numbers being multiplied are positive or negative, which affects the sum and product.

Front

How can you check if your factorization is correct?

Back

You can check by multiplying the factors back together to see if you get the original trinomial.