Factoring Trinomials Methods and Techniques

This video tutorial compares three methods for factoring trinomials: trial and error, factor by grouping, and bottoms up. Each method is explained with a step-by-step example using the trinomial 3x^2 + 11x - 20. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding the trial and error method for its efficiency in factoring complex trinomials.

Which of the following is NOT a method for factoring trinomials discussed in the video?

• Synthetic Division

• Bottoms Up

• Factor by Grouping

• Trial and Error

In the trial and error method, what is the first step when factoring a trinomial?

• Place the factors of ax squared in the first positions of the binomials

• Check the sum of the inner and outer products

• Find the greatest common factor

• List all factors of c

What is the correct factorization of 3x^2 + 11x - 20 using trial and error?

• (3x - 5)(x + 4)

• (3x + 5)(x - 4)

• (3x - 4)(x + 5)

• (3x + 4)(x - 5)

In the factor by grouping method, what do you do after rewriting the middle term?

• Divide the expression in half

• Multiply a and c

• List all factors of c

• Check the sum of the inner and outer products

What is the greatest common factor of the terms 3x^2 and -4x in the factor by grouping method?

• 3

• 4x

• x

• 3x

In the bottoms up method, what is the first step?

• Rewrite the trinomial in the form x^2 + bx + ac

• Find the greatest common factor

• List all factors of c

• Check the sum of the inner and outer products

What is the correct factorization of x^2 + 11x - 60 in the bottoms up method?

• (x - 15)(x + 4)

• (x + 4)(x - 15)

• (x + 15)(x - 4)

• (x - 4)(x + 15)

After dividing the constants in each binomial by the original value of a in the bottoms up method, what should you do if the fraction does not simplify?

• Multiply the fraction by a

• Add the fraction to the constant term

• Move the denominator to the coefficient of x

• Ignore the fraction

Which method is recommended as the quickest way to factor more complicated trinomials?

• Synthetic Division

• Factor by Grouping

• Bottoms Up

• Trial and Error

What is the main advantage of the trial and error method according to the video?

• It is the most accurate

• It is the easiest to learn

• It is the quickest for complex trinomials

• It requires the least amount of steps