Algebra 1C

Factoring

U2L6 Notes


Quadratic Functions look like this:

Where a, b, and c are numbers


Here is an important table that you will need
throughout the rest of this unit:

Form: Signs for final problem:

To Factor a problem we need to make a table

1. Find the factors of a

2. Find the factors of c (according to the signs in
the above table, you will know if they are
both positive, both negative, or are one of
each)

3. Multiply your a options and c options so
that they add up to b

*Look at the table on the next page for an
example*




Example: Factor:

in the form

so c will have two positive answers

Original Equation: 5

11 2
Factors of
a: 5
Factors of
c: 2





b: 11
Combinations of a and c:



1 1 5 2
1 2 5 1




4. Now that we know 1 1 5 2 11
works, we need to put it in factored form
5.
a. Rewrite the problem exactly as you
have it in your table:
1 1 5 2 11

b. The 1
st
number in each set of
parentheses will connect to your
variable
c. The 2
nd
number in each of your
parentheses will flip
d. The signs in the parentheses are
determined by the table from earlier.

1 1 5 2 11



1 25 1







a a c
c
This
combination
works!
Factor:

in the form

so c will have one negative and one positive answer
Original Equation: 3

4 15
Factors of
a: 3
Factors of
c: -15








b: 4
Combinations of a and c:


1 1 3 15
1 15 3 1





1 1 3 15
1 15 3 1





1 3 3 5
1 5 3 3





1 3 3 5
1 5 3 3






1 5 3 3 4



1 33 5

There are times when you will need to pull out
information (the GCF) before you can continue
solving your problem

12

20 8

*Notice that every piece of this quadratic expression
is divisible by 4.
1. We will rewrite the problem like we did in
U2L2
43

5 2

2. Find the factors of a

This combination
works!


3. Find the factors of c (according to the signs in
the above table, you will know if they are
both positive, both negative, or are one of
each)

4. Multiply your a options and c options so
that they add up to b


**We are going to ignore the 4 that we pulled out
for now**

Original Equation: 3

5 2
Factors of
a: 3
Factors of
c: -2






b: 5
Combinations of a and c:


1 1 3 2
1 2 3 1





1 1 3 2
1 2 3 1






1 1 3 2 5



1 23 1

5. NOW we add the 4 back in, we just put it at
the beginning of our factored answer:

41 23 1
This combination
works!