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4.3 Factoring Trinomials

Learning Objectives

  1. Factor trinomials of the form x2+bx+c.
  2. Factor trinomials of higher degree.
  3. Factor trinomials of the form ax2+bx+c.
  4. Factor trinomials using the AC method.

Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2+bx+c

Some trinomials of the form x2+bx+c can be factored as a product of binomials. If a trinomial of this type factors, then we have:

x2+bx+c=(x+m)(x+n)=x2+nx+mx+mn=x2+(n+m)x+mn

This gives us

b=n+m     andc=mn

In short, if the leading coefficient of a factorable trinomial is 1, then the factors of the last term must add up to the coefficient of the middle term. This observation is the key to factoring trinomials using the technique known as the trial and error (or guess and check) methodDescribes the method of factoring a trinomial by systematically checking factors to see if their product is the original trinomial..

Example 1

Factor: x2+12x+20.

Solution:

We begin by writing two sets of blank parentheses. If a trinomial of this form factors, then it will factor into two linear binomial factors.

x2+12x+20=()()

Write the factors of the first term in the first space of each set of parentheses. In this case, factor x2=xx.

x2+12x+20=(x)(x)

Determine the factors of the last term whose sum equals the coefficient of the middle term. To do this, list all of the factorizations of 20 and search for factors whose sum equals 12.

20=1201+20=21=2102+10=12=454+5=9

Choose 20 = 2 ⋅ 10 because 2 + 10 = 12. Write in the last term of each binomial using the factors determined in the previous step.

x2+12x+20=(x+2)(x+10)

This can be visually interpreted as follows:

Check by multiplying the two binomials.

(x+2)(x+10)=x2+10x+2x+20=x2+12x+20

Answer: (x+2)(x+10)

Since multiplication is commutative, the order of the factors does not matter.

x2+12x+20=(x+2)(x+10)=(x+10)(x+2)

If the last term of the trinomial is positive, then either both of the constant factors must be negative or both must be positive.

Example 2

Factor: x2y27xy+12.

Solution:

First, factor x2y2=xyxy.

x2y27xy+12=(xy?)(xy?)

Next, search for factors of 12 whose sum is −7.

12=1121+(12)=13=262+(6)=8=343+(4)=7

In this case, choose −3 and −4 because (3)(4)=+12 and 3+(4)=7.

x2y27xy+12=(xy?)(xy?)=(xy3)(xy4)

Check.

(xy3)(xy4)=x2y24xy3xy+12=x2y27xy+12

Answer: (xy3)(xy4)

If the last term of the trinomial is negative, then one of its factors must be negative.

Example 3

Factor: x24xy12y2.

Solution:

Begin by factoring the first term x2=xx.

x24xy12y2=(x?)(x?)

The factors of 12 are listed below. In this example, we are looking for factors whose sum is −4.

12=1121+(12)=11=262+(6)=4=343+(4)=1

Therefore, the coefficient of the last term can be factored as 12=2(6), where 2+(6)=4. Because the last term has a variable factor of y2, use 12y2=2y(6y) and factor the trinomial as follows:

x24xy12y2=(x?)(x?)=(x+2y)(x6y)

Multiply to check.

(x+2y)(x6y)=x26xy+2yx12y2=x26xy+2xy12y2=x24xy12y2

Answer: (x+2y)(x6y)

Often our first guess will not produce a correct factorization. This process may require repeated trials. For this reason, the check is very important and is not optional.

Example 4

Factor: a2+10a24.

Solution:

The first term of this trinomial, a2, factors as aa.

a2+10a24=(a?)(a?)

Consider the factors of 24:

24=124=212=38=46

Suppose we choose the factors 4 and 6 because 4 + 6 = 10, the coefficient of the middle term. Then we have the following incorrect factorization:

a2+10a24=?(a+4)(a+6)    IncorrectFactorization

When we multiply to check, we find the error.

(a+4)(a+6)=a2+6a+4a+24=a2+10a+24

In this case, the middle term is correct but the last term is not. Since the last term in the original expression is negative, we need to choose factors that are opposite in sign. Therefore, we must try again. This time we choose the factors −2 and 12 because 2+12=10.

a2+10a24=(a2)(a+12)

Now the check shows that this factorization is correct.

(a2)(a+12)=a2+12a2a24=a2+10a24

Answer: (a2)(a+12)

If we choose the factors wisely, then we can reduce much of the guesswork in this process. However, if a guess is not correct, do not get discouraged; just try a different set of factors. Keep in mind that some polynomials are prime. For example, consider the trinomial x2+3x+20 and the factors of 20:

20=120=210=45

There are no factors of 20 whose sum is 3. Therefore, the original trinomial cannot be factored as a product of two binomials with integer coefficients. The trinomial is prime.

Factoring Trinomials of Higher Degree

We can use the trial and error technique to factor trinomials of higher degree.

Example 5

Factor: x4+6x2+5.

Solution:

Begin by factoring the first term x4=x2x2.

x4+6x2+5=(x2?)(x2?)

Since 5 is prime and the coefficient of the middle term is positive, choose +1 and +5 as the factors of the last term.

x4+6x2+5=(x2?)(x2?)=(x2+1)(x2+5)

Notice that the variable part of the middle term is x2 and the factorization checks out.

(x2+1)(x2+5)=x4+5x2+x2+5=x4+6x2+5

Answer: (x2+1)(x2+5)

Example 6

Factor: x2n+4xn21 where n is a positive integer.

Solution:

Begin by factoring the first term x2n=xnxn.

x2n+4xn21=(xn?)(xn?)

Factor 21=7(3) because 7+(3)=+4 and write

x2n+4xn21=(xn?)(xn?)=(xn+7)(xn3)

Answer: (xn+7)(xn3) The check is left to the reader.

Try this! Factor: x6x342.

Answer: (x3+6)(x37)

Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2+bx+c

Factoring trinomials of the form ax2+bx+c can be challenging because the middle term is affected by the factors of both a and c. In general,

ax2+bx+c=(px+m)(qx+n)=pqx2+pnx+qmx+mn=pqx2+(pn+qm)x+mn

This gives us,

a=pq     andb=pn+qm,     wherec=mn

In short, when the leading coefficient of a trinomial is something other than 1, there will be more to consider when determining the factors using the trial and error method. The key lies in the understanding of how the middle term is obtained. Multiply (5x+3)(2x+3) and carefully follow the formation of the middle term.

As we have seen before, the product of the first terms of each binomial is equal to the first term of the trinomial. The middle term of the trinomial is the sum of the products of the outer and inner terms of the binomials. The product of the last terms of each binomial is equal to the last term of the trinomial. Visually, we have the following:

For this reason, we need to look for products of the factors of the first and last terms whose sum is equal to the coefficient of the middle term. For example, to factor 6x2+29x+35, look at the factors of 6 and 35.

6=1635=135=23=57

The combination that produces the coefficient of the middle term is 27+35=14+15=29. Make sure that the outer terms have coefficients 2 and 7, and that the inner terms have coefficients 5 and 3. Use this information to factor the trinomial.

6x2+29x+35=(2x?)(3x?)=(2x+5)(3x+7)

We can always check by multiplying; this is left to the reader.

Example 7

Factor: 5x2+16xy+3y2.

Solution:

Since the leading coefficient and the last term are both prime, there is only one way to factor each.

5=15     and     3=13

Begin by writing the factors of the first term, 5x2, as follows:

5x2+16xy+3y2=(x?)(5x?)

The middle and last term are both positive; therefore, the factors of 3 are chosen as positive numbers. In this case, the only choice is in which grouping to place these factors.

(x+y)(5x+3y)         or        (x+3y)(5x+y)

Determine which grouping is correct by multiplying each expression.

(x+y)(5x+3y)=5x2+3xy+5xy+3y2=5x2+8xy+3y2(x+3y)(5x+y)=5x2+xy+15xy+3y2=5x2+16xy+3y2

Answer: (x+3y)(5x+y)

Example 8

Factor: 18a2b2ab4.

Solution:

First, consider the factors of the coefficients of the first and last terms.

18=1184=14=29=22=36

We are searching for products of factors whose sum equals the coefficient of the middle term, −1. After some thought, we can see that the sum of 8 and −9 is −1 and the combination that gives this follows:

2(4)+9(1)=89=1

Factoring begins at this point with two sets of blank parentheses.

18a2b2ab4=()()

Use 2ab and 9ab as factors of 18a2b2.

18a2b2ab4=(2ab?)(9ab?)

Next use the factors 1 and 4 in the correct order so that the inner and outer products are 9ab and 8ab respectively.

18a2b2ab4=(2ab1)(9ab+4)

Answer: (2ab1)(9ab+4). The complete check is left to the reader.

It is a good practice to first factor out the GCF, if there is one. Doing this produces a trinomial factor with smaller coefficients. As we have seen, trinomials with smaller coefficients require much less effort to factor. This commonly overlooked step is worth identifying early.

Example 9

Factor: 12y326y210y.

Solution:

Begin by factoring out the GCF.

12y326y210y=2y(6y213y5)

After factoring out 2y, the coefficients of the resulting trinomial are smaller and have fewer factors. We can factor the resulting trinomial using 6=2(3) and 5=(5)(1). Notice that these factors can produce −13 in two ways:

2(5)+3(1)=103=132(1)+3(5)=215=13

Because the last term is −5, the correct combination requires the factors 1 and 5 to be opposite signs. Here we use 2(1) = 2 and 3(−5) = −15 because the sum is −13 and the product of (1)(−5) = −5.

12y326y210y=2y(6y213y5)=2y(2y?)(3y?)=2y(2y5)(3y+1)

Check.

2y(2y5)(3y+1)=2y(6y2+2y15y5)=2y(6y213y5)=12y326y210y  

The factor 2y is part of the factored form of the original expression; be sure to include it in the answer.

Answer: 2y(2y5)(3y+1)

It is a good practice to consistently work with trinomials where the leading coefficient is positive. If the leading coefficient is negative, factor it out along with any GCF. Note that sometimes the factor will be −1.

Example 10

Factor: 18x669x4+12x2.

Solution:

In this example, the GCF is 3x2. Because the leading coefficient is negative we begin by factoring out 3x2.

18x669x4+12x2=3x2(6x4+23x24)

At this point, factor the remaining trinomial as usual, remembering to write the 3x2 as a factor in the final answer. Use 6 = 1(6) and −4 = 4(−1) because 1(1)+6(4)=23. Therefore,

18x669x4+12x2=3x2(6x4+23x24)=3x2(x2)(6x2)=3x2(x2+4)(6x21)

Answer: 3x2(x2+4)(6x21). The check is left to the reader.

Try this! Factor: 12a5b+a3b3+ab5.

Answer: ab(3a2b2)(4a2+b2)

Factoring Using the AC Method

An alternate technique for factoring trinomials, called the AC methodMethod used for factoring trinomials by replacing the middle term with two terms that allow us to factor the resulting four-term polynomial by grouping., makes use of the grouping method for factoring four-term polynomials. If a trinomial in the form ax2+bx+c can be factored, then the middle term, bx, can be replaced with two terms with coefficients whose sum is b and product is ac. This substitution results in an equivalent expression with four terms that can be factored by grouping.

Example 11

Factor using the AC method: 18x231x+6.

Solution:

Here a = 18, b = −31, and c = 6.

ac=18(6)=108

Factor 108, and search for factors whose sum is −31.

108=1(108)=2(54)=3(36)=4(27)=6(18)=9(12)

In this case, the sum of the factors −27 and −4 equals the middle coefficient, −31. Therefore, 31x=27x4x, and we can write

18x231x+6=18x227x4x+6

Factor the equivalent expression by grouping.

18x231x+6=18x227x4x+6=9x(2x3)2(2x3)=(2x3)(9x2)

Answer: (2x3)(9x2)

Example 12

Factor using the AC method: 4x2y27xy15.

Solution:

Here a = 4, b = −7, and c = −15.

ac=4(15)=60

Factor −60 and search for factors whose sum is −7.

60=1(60)=2(30)=3(20)=4(15)=5(12)=6(10)

The sum of factors 5 and −12 equals the middle coefficient, −7. Replace 7xy with 5xy12xy.

4x2y27xy15=4x2y2+5xy12xy15Factorbygrouping.=xy(4xy+5)3(4xy+5)=(4xy+5)(xy3)

Answer: (4xy+5)(xy3). The check is left to the reader.

If factors of ac cannot be found to add up to b then the trinomial is prime.

Key Takeaways

  • If a trinomial of the form x2+bx+c factors into the product of two binomials, then the coefficient of the middle term is the sum of factors of the last term.
  • If a trinomial of the form ax2+bx+c factors into the product of two binomials, then the coefficient of the middle term will be the sum of certain products of factors of the first and last terms.
  • If the trinomial has a greatest common factor, then it is a best practice to first factor out the GCF before attempting to factor it into a product of binomials.
  • If the leading coefficient of a trinomial is negative, then it is a best practice to first factor that negative factor out before attempting to factor the trinomial.
  • Factoring is one of the more important skills required in algebra. For this reason, you should practice working as many problems as it takes to become proficient.

Topic Exercises

    Part A: Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2+bx+c

      Factor.

    1. x2+5x6

    2. x2+5x+6

    3. x2+4x12

    4. x2+3x18

    5. x214x+48

    6. x215x+54

    7. x2+11x30

    8. x22x+24

    9. x218x+81

    10. x222x+121

    11. x2xy20y2

    12. x2+10xy+9y2

    13. x2y2+5xy50

    14. x2y216xy+48

    15. a26ab72b2

    16. a221ab+80b2

    17. u2+14uv32v2

    18. m2+7mn98n2

    19. (x+y)22(x+y)8

    20. (xy)22(xy)15

    21. x47x28

    22. x4+13x2+30

    23. x48x248

    24. x4+25x2+24

    25. y420y2+100

    26. y4+14y2+49

    27. x4+3x2y2+2y4

    28. x48x2y2+15y4

    29. a4b44a2b2+4

    30. a4+6a2b2+9b4

    31. x618x340

    32. x6+18x3+45

    33. x6x3y36y6

    34. x6+x3y320y6

    35. x6y6+2x3y315

    36. x6y6+16x3y3+48

    37. x2n+12xn+32

    38. x2n+41xn+40

    39. x2n+2axn+a2

    40. x2n2axn+a2

    Part B: Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2+bx+c

      Factor.

    1. 3x2+20x7

    2. 2x29x5

    3. 6a2+13a+6

    4. 4a2+11a+6

    5. 6x2+7x10

    6. 4x225x+6

    7. 24y235y+4

    8. 10y223y+12

    9. 14x211x+9

    10. 9x2+6x+8

    11. 4x228x+49

    12. 36x260x+25

    13. 27x26x8

    14. 24x2+17x20

    15. 6x2+23xy4y2

    16. 10x221xy27y2

    17. 8a2b218ab+9

    18. 12a2b2ab20

    19. 8u226uv+15v2

    20. 24m226mn+5n2

    21. 4a212ab+9b2

    22. 16a2+40ab+25b2

    23. 5(x+y)29(x+y)+4

    24. 7(xy)2+15(xy)18

    25. 7x422x2+3

    26. 5x441x2+8

    27. 4y63y310

    28. 12y6+4y35

    29. 5a4b4a2b218

    30. 21a4b4+5a2b24

    31. 6x6y6+17x3y3+10

    32. 16x6y6+46x3y3+15

    33. 8x2n10xn25

    34. 30x2n11xn6

    35. 36x2n+12axn+a2

    36. 9x2n12axn+4a2

    37. 3x2+14x+5

    38. 2x2+13x20

    39. x210x+24

    40. x2+8x+48

    41. 5412x2x2

    42. 60+5x5x2

    43. 4x3+16x2+20x

    44. 2x412x3+14x2

    45. 2x38x2y24xy2

    46. 6x39x2y6xy2

    47. 4a3b4a2b224ab3

    48. 15a4b33a3b2+6a2b3

    49. 3x5y+30x3y3+75xy5

    50. 45x5y260x3y4+20xy6

      Factor.

    1. 425x2

    2. 8x3y3

    3. 9x212xy+4y2

    4. 30a257ab6b2

    5. 10a25a6ab+3b

    6. 3x34x2+9x12

    7. x2+4y2

    8. x2x+2

    9. 15a3b2+6a2b33ab4

    10. 54x263x

    Part D: Discussion Board

    1. Create your own trinomial of the form ax2+bx+c that factors. Share it, along with the solution, on the discussion board.

    2. Create a trinomial of the form ax2+bx+c that does not factor and share it along with the reason why it does not factor.

Answers

  1. (x1)(x+6)

  2. (x2)(x+6)

  3. (x6)(x8)

  4. Prime

  5. (x9)2

  6. (x5y)(x+4y)

  7. (xy5)(xy+10)

  8. (a+6b)(a12b)

  9. (u2v)(u+16v)

  10. (x+y4)(x+y+2)

  11. (x28)(x2+1)

  12. (x2+4)(x212)

  13. (y210)2

  14. (x2+y2)(x2+2y2)

  15. (a2b22)2

  16. (x320)(x3+2)

  17. (x3+2y3)(x33y3)

  18. (x3y33)(x3y3+5)

  19. (xn+4)(xn+8)

  20. (xn+a)2

  1. (3x1)(x+7)

  2. (2a+3)(3a+2)

  3. (6x5)(x+2)

  4. (8y1)(3y4)

  5. Prime

  6. (2x7)2

  7. (9x+4)(3x2)

  8. (6xy)(x+4y)

  9. (4ab3)(2ab3)

  10. (2u5v)(4u3v)

  11. (2a3b)2

  12. (x+y1)(5x+5y4)

  13. (x23)(7x21)

  14. (y32)(4y3+5)

  15. (a2b22)(5a2b2+9)

  16. (6x3y3+5)(x3y3+2)

  17. (2xn5)(4xn+5)

  18. (6xn+a)2

  19. (x5)(3x+1)

  20. (x2)(x+12)

  21. 2(x3)(x+9)

  22. 4x(x2+4x+5)

  23. 2x(x+2y)(x6y)

  24. 4ab(a3b)(a+2b)

  25. 3xy(x2+5y2)2

  26. (25x)(2+5x)

  27. (3x2y)2

  28. (2a1)(5a3b)

  29. Prime

  30. 3ab2(5a2+2abb2)

  1. Answer may vary