Factoring using the Tucker
Method
Ax2 + bx + c
Steps to Factoring
• Look for a GCF, if there is one take out the GCF
• Write the first term twice with a line under it
• Look at what’s left, multiply the coefficient of x2 by the
constant (plain number)
• You need to find two numbers that multiply to that
number, but add to the coefficient of the term in the
middle
• Once you have found the numbers that multiply and add
to your numbers write those two numbers underneath
your first terms that you wrote twice.
• Reduce your factions
• Write your answer in parenthesis
Example
1
7x
-28
7x
2
7x2 – 26x – 8
___ * ___ = -56
___ + ___ = -26
-4
Since -28 and 2 multiply to -56 and add to -26. we
put those numbers underneath of our 7x’s
-Simplify the Fractions
-Write your answer as parenthesis
( 1x - 4
)( 7x + 2
)
Example
20x2 + 80x + 35
Take out a GCF = 5(4x2 + 16x + 7)
Now focus on the Parenthesis:
2
2
1
7
4x
2
4x
14
____ * ____ = 28 (4*7)
____ + ____ = 16
Since 2 and 14 multiply to 28 and add to 16, these
numbers go underneath our 4x’s
-Reduce your fractions and write your answer. Do
Not forget to
include your original GCF in your
answer.
5( 2x + 1)(2x + 7)
Let’s Try
2v2 – 12v + 10
4y2 + 14y + 6
18k2 – 12k - 6