How Do You Factor a Polynomial Using the A-C Method?

Note:

Factoring trinomials can by tricky, but this tutorial can help! See how to use the A-C method to factor a trinomial into the product of two binomials. Then, use the FOIL method to multiply the two binomial back together to check your answer.

Keywords:

problem
trinomial
factor
a-c method
standard form
polynomial
strategy
factoring
binomial
factor to binomials
a times c
prime factor
sum of factors
product of factors
quadratic

Background Tutorials

Factors and Greatest Common 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!
Polynomial Definitions
- 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.
Degrees of Monomials and Polynomials
- 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.
FOIL and Multiplying Binomials
- 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!
Simplifying Expressions
- 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 Coefficient?
  
  There is a bunch of vocabulary that you just need to know when it comes to algebra, and coefficient is one of the key words that you have to feel 100% comfortable with. Check out the tutorial and let us know if you want to learn more about coefficients!
- 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.
Definitions for Quadratic Functions
- What is the Standard Form of a Quadratic?
  
  Got a quadratic polynomial? Want to put it in standard form? Watch this tutorial to learn the steps it takes to make sure a quadratic polynomial is in standard form!
Factoring Strategies
- How Do You Factor a 4-Term Polynomial by Grouping?
  
  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!
- 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!
Greatest Common Factor
- How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor If There are No Common Factors?
  
  To find the greatest common factor (GCF) between numbers, take each number and write it's prime factorization. Then, identify the factors common to each number and multiply those common factors together. What? There are NO factors in common? Then the GCF is 1. This tutorial gives you one such example. Check it out!