WHICH METHOD OF FACTORIZATION SHOULD I
USE?
1. HIGHEST COMMON FACTOR METHOD
Check first for any common factor in all the terms. If all the terms share a
common factor, factor it out!
Example
2. DIFFERENCE OF SQUARES
IF you have two terms that are perfect squares, and there is a minus sign
between them , you can use difference of squares.
Example:
3. QUADRATIC TRINOMIALS
Look for two numbers that multiply to give ac , and add to give b . then split
the middle term using these numbers and factor by grouping.
Example:
4. PERFECT SQUARE TRINOMIALS
If you notice a pattern like
It factors into
5. GROUPINGS
0
