Factoring a Polynomial completely can be done most easily when the GCF is removed from the polynomial first. The video above shows a simple method for doing this.
Source: Original material -- J. Aaron Nunley
Knowing the Differences of Squares Pattern can help students easily factor polynomials of the form a^2 - b^2,
Source: Original Material -- J. Aaron Nunley
The ability to recognize the Trinomial Squares patterns will help students to factor polynomials more quickly and easily. Students should memorize the patterns:
(a+b)^2 = a^2 +
Source: Original Material -- Aaron Nunley
This is a guess-and-check strategy for finding the factors of a trinomial that does not fit the difference of squares or trinomial squares patterns.
Source: Original Material -- J. Aaron Nunley