Box Method for Factoring
2

Box Method for Factoring


We are going to factor the expression 15x -7x-2
First draw a box and divide into quarters.

Box Method for Factoring



 Now we are going to place the terms of the expression into the box.
Look at the expression: 15x -7x-2
15x
Place the -2 in the bottom right box.
15x
2

Box Method for Factoring
 Now we are going to multiply the coefficient of the first term by the

15x
2

Box Method for Factoring
 Now we are going to list the factors of 30.
30
 Are there any pair of numbers that would equal -7?

Box Method for Factoring



We just found the factors of -30 that have a sum of -7!
We will place those factors in the box with an “x”
It doesn’t matter which box you put them in.
15x
2

Box Method for Factoring


Now we are going to pull out the common factors from each row and column.
Last sign out of the box determines the sign.
15x
2

Box Method for Factoring


We now have the factors of
The factors are: (5x + 1)(3x - 2)