ASK how to find a difference as quickly as possible
4 terms 1x3
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Look for this pattern - (y^2 - 2yx + y^2) -----> (y-z)(y-z)
Look for this pattern - (y^2 - 6x + 9) -----> (y-3)(y-3)
Also look for the perfect cube or square at the end, for the one term
They don't always have to be in order. x
2x2
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Even if it doesn't look like it, always try this situation if you don't see 3 x 1, 1 x 3.
Factor out the GCF
Common tricky pattern - Difference of squares in the original problem.
IMPORTANT - you must eventually have a common GCF or switch your method!
3 Terms 1. If a problem has 3 terms and a prime term ------> break up the prime term!
a. To break up the prime terms think about equal ratios of coefficients
2. Then most likely use 2 x 2 rules.
Normal Factoring
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Big middle terms = 16z^2 - 56z^2 + 49 -----> (4z-7)(4z-7)
xy term in the middle = 50x^2 + 45xy -18y^2 -----> (10x - 3y) (5, + 6y)
Mistakes ●
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Think about 1 and 2 terms -----> These simplify differently.
ALWAYS LOOK TO SIMPLIFY MORE!
DISTRIBUTE THE NEGATIVE TO BOTH TERMS! ------>
1.BE VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY CAREFUL WHEN DISTRIBUTING
Always combine like terms, if you can't simplify more!
DO NOT DISTRIBUTE TOO EARLY, this is a TRAP
Don’t waste time factoring a problem, you cant actually FACTOR ------> think about the
trick!
Do not simplify fractional exponents, unless the directions say
DO NOT LEAVE NEGATIVE EXPONENTS