Lesson Objectives
• Demonstrate the ability to factor out the GCF from a polynomial
• Learn how to factor a trinomial when the leading coefficient is 1
• Learn how to factor trinomials with two variables
• Learn how to determine if a polynomial is a prime polynomial

## Factoring Trinomials When the Leading Coefficient is 1

When we see a polynomial with exactly three terms, we refer to the polynomial as a "trinomial". In this lesson, we will learn how to factor a trinomial into the product of two binomials. We will be working with trinomials of the form:
ax2 + bx + c
When a = 1, the trinomial can be rewritten as:
x2 + bx + c
Factoring a trinomial of this form is the easiest scenario to deal with. Before we look at the procedure, let's think about how we multiply two binomials using FOIL.
(x + 5)(x + 7)
F » x • x = x2
O » x • 7 = 7x
I » 5 • x = 5x
L » 5 • 7 = 35
We combine like terms to obtain our product. Notice how the O and I steps are what we can combine:
x2 + 7x + 5x + 35
x2 + 12x + 35
(x + 5)(x + 7) = x2 + 12x + 35
Now suppose we had to reverse the procedure.
x2 + 12x + 35 = (_ + _)(_ + _)
The x2 or first term comes from the F step.
Since the coefficient on x2 is 1, we know the first position of each binomial is an x.
x2 + 12x + 35 = (x + _)(x + _)
The 12x or middle term comes from the O + I step.
The 35 or last term comes from the L step.
The same two integers will need to sum to the coefficient of the middle term (12) and yield a product of the last term (35).
We think about two integers whose sum is 12 and whose product is 35. We can think about the different factors of 35:
1,5,7,35
Of course, we have negative possibilities, but we can exclude these here since everything is positive.
We can see that 5 and 7 are the integers we need.
5 + 7 = 12
5 • 7 = 35
Therefore, we use 5 and 7 to fill in our blanks.
x2 + 12x + 35 = (x + 5)(x + 7)
Note, the order does not matter, we can switch things up if we would like:
x2 + 12x + 35 = (x + 7)(x + 5)

### Factoring Trinomials of the form: ax2 + bx + c, a = 1

• When the GCF is not 1, factor out the GCF
• The first position of each binomial is a given (x + _)(x + _)
• Find two integers whose sum is b (the coefficient of the middle term), and whose product is c (constant term)
• Use the integers to fill in the blanks
Let's look at a few examples.
Example 1: Factor each
x2 + 9x + 20
Step 1) Factor out the GCF
In this case, the GCF is 1.
Step 2) The first position of each binomial is given:
(x + __)(x + __)
Step 3) Find two integers whose sum is b and whose product is c:
In our case, b is 9, and c is 20.
We want two integers whose sum is 9 and whose product is 20.
Factors of 20:
1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20
4, and 5 are the required integers.
4 + 5 = 9
4 • 5 = 20
Step 4) Use the integers to fill in the blanks
x2 + 9x + 20 = (x + 4)(x + 5)
Example 2: Factor each
6x2 + 84x + 288
Step 1) Factor out the GCF
6(x2 + 14x + 48)
Step 2) The first position of each binomial is given:
6(x + __)(x + __)
Step 3) Find two integers whose sum is b and whose product is c:
In our case, b is 14, and c is 48. We are working inside of the parentheses since we factored out a 6.
We want two integers whose sum is 14 and whose product is 48.
Factors of 48:
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48
6, and 8 are the required integers.
6 + 8 = 14
6 • 8 = 48
Step 4) Use the integers to fill in the blanks
6x2 + 84x + 288 = 6(x + 6)(x +8)
Example 3: Factor each
4x2 - 24x - 64
Step 1) Factor out the GCF
4(x2 - 6x - 16)
Step 2) The first position of each binomial is given:
4(x + __)(x + __)
Step 3) Find two integers whose sum is b and whose product is c:
In our case, b is -6 and c is -16. We are working inside of the parentheses since we factored out a 4.
We want two integers whose sum is (-6) and whose product is (-16).
Since we want a negative product, we know this can only come from opposite signs. One integer will be positive and the other negative. Let's think about the positive factors of 16 and then think about making the signs work:
Factors of 16:
1, 2, 4, 8, 16
-8, and +2 are the required integers.
-8 + 2 = -6
-8 • 2 = -16
Step 4) Use the integers to fill in the blanks
4x2 - 24x - 64 =  4(x + 2)(x - 8)

### Prime Polynomials

In some cases, we will not be able to find two integers that sum to b and have a product of c. When a polynomial cannot be factored using rational numbers, we say the polynomial is prime. Let's look at an example.
Example 4: Factor each
x2 - 5x - 40
Step 1) Factor out the GCF
In this case, the GCF is 1.
Step 2) The first position of each binomial is given:
(x + __)(x + __)
Step 3) Find two integers whose sum is b and whose product is c:
In our case, b is -5, and c is -40.
We want two integers whose sum is -5 and whose product is -40.
Since we want a negative product, we know this can only come from opposite signs. One integer will be positive and the other negative. Let's think about the positive factors of 40 and then think about making the signs work:
Factors of 40:
1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 40
There are no such integers that yield a sum of -5 and a product of -40. This means our polynomial is prime.

### Factoring Trinomials with Two Variables

We may run into a scenario in which we need to factor a trinomial with two variables. Let's look at an example.
Example 5: Factor each
x2 + 10xy + 21y2
Step 1) Factor out the GCF
In this case, the GCF is 1.
Step 2) The first position of each binomial is given:
(x + __)(x + __)
Step 3) Find two integers whose sum is b and whose product is c:
In our case, b is 10y, and c is 21y2. To make things easy, just place a y in the last position of each binomial and work on the number parts. We will rewrite our binomial as:
(x + __y)(x + __y)
If we think about this, it should make sense. In the FOIL process, the F will not involve a y. The O and I steps will yield a variable part of "xy", and the L step will yield a variable part of "y2".
Now let's look for two integers whose sum is 10 and whose product is 21.
Factors of 21:
1, 3, 7, 21
3, and 7 are the required integers.
3 + 7 = 10
3 • 7 = 21
If we were to put the y back in:
3y + 7y = 10y
3y • 7y = 21y2
Step 4) Use the integers to fill in the blanks
x2 + 10xy + 21y2 = (x + 3y)(x + 7y)

#### Skills Check:

Example #1

Factor each $$x^2 + 16x + 60$$

A
$$(x + 6)(x - 10)$$
B
$$(x + 6)(x + 10)$$
C
$$(x + 12)(x + 5)$$
D
$$(x + 4)(x + 15)$$
E
$$(x + 1)(x + 15)$$

Example #2

Factor each $$6x^2+24x-30$$

A
$$6(x - 1)(x + 5)$$
B
$$6(x - 1)(x - 5)$$
C
$$3(x + 7)(x - 1)$$
D
$$(x - 1)(x + 5)$$
E
$$5(x - 4)(x + 6)$$

Example #3

Factor each $$x^2+19xy+90y^2$$

A
$$(x + 9y)(x - 10y)$$
B
$$(x + 6y)(x + 15y)$$
C
$$(x + 9y)(x + 10y)$$
D
$$(x + 2y)(x + 45y)$$
E
$$2(x + 3y)(x - 4y)$$

Example #4

Factor each $$2x^2-10xy-72y^2$$

A
$$2(x + 4y)(x - 9y)$$
B
$$(x + 4y)(x - 9y)$$
C
$$2(x + 9y)(x - 4y)$$
D
$$2(x + 18y)(x - 2y)$$
E
$$2(x - 3y)(x + 9y)$$