Factor Polynomials by GCF and Difference of Squares

What method should you use to factor the polynomial?

x² - 36

• Factor by Grouping

• Factor out the GCF

• Difference of Squares

• Difference of 2 Cubes

What method should you use to factor the polynomial?

• Factor by Grouping

• Factor out the GCF

• Difference of Squares

• Trinomials (ac,b,T-chart)

3x² - 75

• 3( x + 5 ) ( x - 5 ) 

• Prime

• ( x + 5 ) ( x - 5 ) 

• 3( x - 5 ) ( x - 5 ) 

What is the GCF of the trinomial?
3x² - 9x -120

• 3

• 2

• 6

• 9

Factor completely: 3x² + 18x +15
Hint: Factor GCF first.

• 3(x² + 6x + 5)

• (x + 5)(x + 1)

• 3(x + 5)(x + 1)

• Prime

What method should you use to factor the polynomial?

• Sum of 2 Cubes

• Factor out the GCF

• Difference of Squares

• Difference of 2 Cubes

x² - 400

• ( x - 200) ( x + 200) 

• ( x + 20) ( x + 20) 

• Prime

• ( x - 20) ( x + 20) 

Whenever you are factoring

ANY polynomial,

what do you ALWAYS do first?

• Look for a GCF and take it out

• Use XBox Method

• Use Factor By Grouping

• Cry