Basic Math Skills for Factoring

Factor:
56a³-8a

• 8a²(56a³-8a)
• 8a(7a²-1)
• 8a(7a³-a)
• 8a²(35a²-a)

Factor:
 2n²-8n³

• 2n²(n-4n²)
• 2n²(1-4n)
• 2n³(10-8n²)
• 3n(1-4n)

Factor:
2n³+16n+12

• 2n(n³+24n+6)
• 2(n³+8n+6)
• 2n(n³+8n+6)
• 3(n³+8n+6)

Factor
x² + 9x - 36

• (x + 12)(x - 3)
• (x + 9)(x - 4)
• (x - 12)(x + 3)
• (x - 9)(x - 4)

Factor
n² + 16n + 63

• (n-7)(n+4)
• (n+7)(n-9)
• (n-3)(n-10)
• (n+7)(n+9)

Factor
k² - 2k - 24

• (k+4)(k-6)
• (k+4)(k+6)
• (k+6)(k-1)
• (k-4)(k+6)

Factor
3v² - 4v - 7

• (3v-7)(v+1)
• 3(v-7)(v-1)
• (3v+1)(v-9)
• (3v+1)(v-10)

Factor
3a² + 4a + 1

• (7a-10)(a-8)
• Not factorable
• (3a+1)(a+1)
• (3a-1)(a-1)

Factor:
 4h² - 17h + 4

• (2h - 2)²
• 4(h + 4)(h + 1)
• (2h - 2)(2h + 2)
• (h - 4)(4h - 1)

What is the first question you ask yourself when factoring a polynomial? 

• How many terms does it have? 
• Is there a GCF? 
• What strategy should I use? 
• Why do I have to learn this?!?!?!