Factoring Trinomials

Front

What is a trinomial?

Back

A trinomial is a polynomial with 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 factored trinomial?

Back

The general form is (x + p)(x + q) where p and q are numbers that satisfy the equation.

Front

How do you identify the coefficients in a trinomial?

Back

In the trinomial ax^2 + bx + c, 'a' is the coefficient of x^2, '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 identify the coefficients a, b, and c from the trinomial.

Front

How do you find two numbers that multiply to ac and add to b?

Back

List the factors of ac and find a pair that sums to b.

Front

Factor the trinomial x^2 + 4x - 32.

Back

(x - 4)(x + 8) or (x + 8)(x - 4).

Front

Factor the trinomial -4x^2 + 11x + 20.

Back

(-x + 4)(4x + 5) or (4x + 5)(-x + 4).

Front

Factor the trinomial x^2 + 7x - 30.

Back

(x + 10)(x - 3) or (x - 3)(x + 10).

Front

Factor the trinomial 4x^2 - 15x - 4.

Back

(x - 4)(4x + 1) or (4x + 1)(x - 4).