How Do You Factor a Polynomial by Guessing and Checking?

How Do You Factor a Polynomial by Guessing and Checking?

Note:

Factoring trinomials can by tricky, but this tutorial can help! Follow along as a trinomial is factored using the guess and check method. What, no possibilities work? The trinomial must be prime! Watch this tutorial and see what happens!

Keywords:

  • problem
  • trinomial
  • factor
  • guess and check
  • guess
  • check
  • polynomial
  • standard form
  • try
  • factors
  • factorization
  • binomial factors
  • two binomials
  • binomial
  • strategy

Background Tutorials

  • Introduction to Algebraic Expressions

      • What is a Constant?What is a Constant?

      What is a Constant?

      Constants are parts of algebraic expressions that don't change. Check out this tutorial to see exactly what a constant looks like and why it doesn't change.

  • Simplifying Expressions

      • What are Like Terms?What are Like Terms?

      What are Like Terms?

      Combining like terms together is a key part of simplifying mathematical expressions, so check out this tutorial to see how you can easily pick out like terms from an expression

      • What's a Term?What's a Term?

      What's a Term?

      Polynomials are those expressions that have variables raised to all sorts of powers and multiplied by all types of numbers. When you work with polynomials you need to know a bit of vocabulary, and one of the words you need to feel comfortable with is 'term'. So check out this tutorial, where you'll learn exactly what a 'term' in a polynomial is all about.

  • Monomials

      • How Do You Find the Degree of a Monomial?How Do You Find the Degree of a Monomial?

      How Do You Find the Degree of a Monomial?

      Monomials are just math expressions with a bunch of numbers and variables multiplied together, and one way to compare monomials is to keep track of the degree. So what's a degree? Well, if you've ever wondered what 'degree' means, then this is the tutorial for you.

  • Polynomials

      • What is a Polynomial?What is a Polynomial?

      What is a Polynomial?

      If you learn about algebra, then you'll see polynomials everywhere! In this tutorial, you'll learn the definition of a polynomial and see some of the common names for certain polynomials.

      • What's the Standard Form of a Polynomial?What's the Standard Form of a Polynomial?

      What's the Standard Form of a Polynomial?

      In order for a polynomial to be in standard form, two rules must be met. Learn about the standard form of a polynomial by watching this tutorial!

  • Multiplying Using FOIL

      • What's FOIL?What's FOIL?

      What's FOIL?

      The FOIL method. No, not aluminum foil! The FOIL method stands for First, Outer, Inner, and Last. It's a popular way multiply two binomials together. This tutorial makes the FOIL method a breeze!

  • Factors

      • What's a Factor?What's a Factor?

      What's a Factor?

      Factors are a fundamental part of algebra, so it would be a great idea to know all about them. This tutorial can help! Take a look!

  • Factoring x^2+bx+c

      • How Do You Figure Out a Template for Factoring a Trinomial?How Do You Figure Out a Template for Factoring a Trinomial?

      How Do You Figure Out a Template for Factoring a Trinomial?

      Did you know that when you're factoring a trinomial, the signs in the trinomial determine the signs in the product of the binomials? This information is really useful when you're factoring trinomials! Watch this tutorial and learn the different sign cases.

  • Factoring by Grouping and Choosing a Factoring Strategy

      • How Do You Figure Out What Factoring Strategy to Use?How Do You Figure Out What Factoring Strategy to Use?

      How Do You Figure Out What Factoring Strategy to Use?

      When your trying to factor a polynomial, one of the most difficult tasks can be determining the correct factoring strategy. Luckily, this tutorial provides a great strategy for factoring polynomials! Check it out and always know how to approach factoring a polynomial!

Further Exploration