Factoring GCF and Simple Trinomials Explained

The video tutorial covers factoring polynomials with an emphasis on using the greatest common factor (GCF) and factoring trinomials. It includes six practice problems, each demonstrating the step-by-step process of identifying the GCF, factoring it out, and then factoring the remaining trinomial. The tutorial highlights the importance of ensuring the leading coefficient is positive and provides strategies for checking the work.

What is the first step in factoring a trinomial according to the video?

• Factor out the leading coefficient

• Factor out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

• Combine like terms

• Distribute the terms

In the example problem 1, what is the GCF of 5x^2 + 55x + 50?

• 5

• 1

• 10

• 11

After factoring out the GCF in example problem 1, what is the remaining trinomial?

• x^2 + 11x + 10

• x^2 + 5x + 10

• x^2 + 10x + 11

• x^2 + 10x + 5

In practice problem 2, what is the GCF of 3x^2 + 15x + 12?

• 3

• 5

• 15

• 12

What two numbers multiply to 4 and add to 5 in practice problem 2?

• 1 and 4

• 2 and 2

• 2 and 3

• 1 and 3

In practice problem 3, what combination of numbers multiply to 6 and add to -5?

• -1 and -6

• 2 and 3

• -2 and -3

• 1 and 6

What is the GCF in practice problem 4?

• 8

• 2

• 6

• 4

In practice problem 5, what combination of numbers multiply to 24 and add to -10?

• 4 and 6

• -4 and -6

• 2 and 12

• -2 and -12

In practice problem 6, what is the common variable factored out?

• x^4

• x^2

• x

• x^3

What combination of numbers multiply to 20 and add to -9 in practice problem 6?

• 1 and 20

• -2 and -10

• -4 and -5

• 2 and 10