Algebra 2 – Factoring Polynomials (5.3 – Part #1) In previous courses, you have learned various techniques for factoring polynomials. These techniques include the following: Greatest Common Factor (GCF), Grouping, General Trinomials, Difference of Squares, and Perfect Square Trinomials. In Part#1, we will review each of these techniques as well as learn about two new techniques known as “Difference of Cubes” and “Sum of Cubes”. ***Please note that the general form for Difference of Squares, Difference of Cubes, and Sum of Cubes must be memorized! Guidelines for factoring are shown below. These might be helpful to refer to as you begin the process of becoming familiar with and mastering the concept of factoring polynomials. We will begin with GCF! Example #1 Guided Practice #1 Algebra 2 – Factoring Polynomials (5.3 – Part #1) Independent Practice #1 Now, let’s take a look at Grouping. Grouping occurs when you have 4 terms that do not have a GCF other than 1. Example #2 Guided Practice #2 Independent Practice #2 Example #3 (General Trinomials with a=1) Guided Practice #3 Independent Practice #3 Algebra 2 – Factoring Polynomials (5.3 – Part #1) Example #4 (General Trinomials with a≠1) Guided Practice #4 Independent Practice #4 Sometimes, general trinomials contain a quadratic term and a constant term that are both perfect squares. If this happens, and the linear term equals 2 times the square root of the quadratic term times the square root of the constant term, you will have a perfect square scenario. Example #5 Guided Practice #5 Independent Practice #5 Finally, let’s review difference of squares. The general form for factoring difference of squares is _________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Example #6 Algebra 2 – Factoring Polynomials (5.3 – Part #1) Guided Practice #6 Independent Practice #6 Two other special types of factoring techniques are “Difference of Cubes” and “Sum of Cubes”. For each of these factoring techniques, it is important to memorize the following general forms: “Difference of Cubes”________________________________________________________________________________________________ “Sum of Cubes”_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example #7 Guided Practice #7 (Factor each polynomial) Independent Practice #7 (Factor each polynomial)