How Do You Factor a 4-Term Polynomial by Grouping?

How Do You Factor a 4-Term Polynomial by Grouping?

Note:

Factoring by grouping is one way to factor a polynomial. This tutorial shows you how to take a polynomial and factor it into the product of two binomials. Then, check your answer by FOILing the binomials back together!

Keywords:

  • problem
  • expression
  • polynomial
  • factor
  • grouping
  • factor by grouping

Background Tutorials

  • Polynomial Definitions

      • 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.

  • FOIL and Multiplying Binomials

  • Simplifying Expressions

      • 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.

  • Factoring Strategies

  • Factors and Monomials

      • What's a Monomial?What's a Monomial?

      What's a Monomial?

      If you learn about algebra, then you'll see monomials everywhere! Watch this tutorial and learn what makes a monomial, and what does not.

  • Greatest Common Factor

      • How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor of Monomials?How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor of Monomials?

      How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor of Monomials?

      To find the greatest common factor (GCF) between monomials, take each monomial and write it's prime factorization. Then, identify the factors common to each monomial and multiply those common factors together. Bam! The GCF! To see an example worked out, check out this tutorial!

Further Exploration

  • Factoring Strategies

      • How Do You Factor a Trinomial?How Do You Factor a Trinomial?

      How Do You Factor a Trinomial?

      Factoring trinomials can by tricky, but this tutorial can help! Follow along as a trinomial is factored right before your eyes! Then, check your answer by using the FOIL method to multiply the binomials back together and see if you get the original trinomial.