8-2 Factoring Trinomials a >1

Front

What is a trinomial?

Back

A trinomial is a polynomial with three terms, typically in the form ax² + bx + c.

Front

What does it mean to factor a polynomial?

Back

Factoring a polynomial means expressing it as a product of its factors, which are polynomials of lower degrees.

Front

What is the general form of factoring a trinomial when a > 1?

Back

The general form is ax² + bx + c = (px + q)(rx + s), where p, q, r, and s are constants.

Front

Factor: 2m² + 3m - 9

Back

(m + 3)(2m - 3)

Front

Factor: 4h² - 17h + 4

Back

(h - 4)(4h - 1)

Front

Factor Completely: 3n² - 15n + 18

Back

3(n - 3)(n - 2)

Front

Factor the polynomial: 5x² - 13x + 6

Back

(x - 2)(5x - 3)

Front

What is the first step in factoring a trinomial?

Back

Identify the coefficients a, b, and c in the trinomial ax² + bx + c.

Front

What is the significance of the leading coefficient in factoring?

Back

The leading coefficient (a) affects the factors of the trinomial and must be considered when finding pairs of numbers that multiply to ac and add to b.

Front

Factor: x² + 4xy + 4y²

Back

(x + 2y)(x + 2y) or (x + 2y)²