Factoring Trinomials of the Form $ax^2 + bx + c$

Need some basic practice with factoring first?

• Basic Concepts Involved in Factoring Trinomials
• Factoring Trinomials of the Form $\,x^2 + bx + c\,,$ where $c\gt 0$
• Factoring Trinomials of the Form $\,x^2 + bx + c\,,$ where $c\lt 0$
• Factoring Trinomials, All Mixed Up

Here, you will practice factoring trinomials of the form $\,ax^2 + bx + c\,,$ where $\,a\,,$ $\,b\,,$ and $\,c\,$ are integers. In this exercise, the coefficient of the $\,x^2\,$ term ($\,a\,$) is usually not going to be the number $\,1\,,$ which makes factoring more challenging.

For example, you might need to factor $\,6x^2-13x-5\,.$

Two methods are presented:

• the Guess-and-Check (or Trial-and-Error) method
• the more efficient Factor By Grouping method

The Guess-and-Check Method for Factoring Trinomials

One common method for factoring when $\,a\ne 1\,$ is called Guess-and-Check or Trial-and-Error. In this method, we try to find four integers that work:

The unknown numbers in front of the $\,x\,$ variables must multiply together to give $\,6\,.$ What are the possibilities here? Well, $\,2\cdot 3\,$  or  $\,6\cdot 1\,.$ The unknown constants must multiply together to give $\,-5\,.$ What are the possibilities for this one? Well, $\,1\cdot -5\,$  or  $\,-1\cdot 5\,.$

Phew. Not too many choices. But even so, this gives lots of possible combinations:

Then, the inners and the outers have to work out right. If you're not the particularly lucky type, then it might take you a while to stumble on the one that works. (Did you find it?)

And, for a random trinomial pulled out of the air, it's possible that nothing will work! So, you could spend a long time looking, and find yourself wondering: “Do they exist?  Have I just missed them?”

There must be a better way—and there is. It's called the ‘Factor by Grouping’ method, and it's usually much more efficient than trial-and-error.

Example: the ‘Factor by Grouping’ Method

Here's an example of the ‘Factor by Grouping’ method. Details follow, for inquiring minds. However, some of you may want to just take this example, and run with it.

• The number in front of $\,x^2\,$ isn't $\,1\,.$ Instead, it's a $\,6\,.$ So, we must modify the old method, which said: “Find two numbers that multiply to the constant term, and add to the middle term.” Somehow, we're going to have to use that $\,6\,.$
• Here's how. Take the $\,6\,$ and multiply it by the constant term, $\,-5\,.$ You get: $\,(6)(-5) = -30$
• Now, find two numbers that multiply to $\,-30\,$ and that (still) add to $\,-13\,.$
• This should be a very familiar thought process—you've likely practiced it a lot. Use the PANS Memory Device, if you want.

• Come up with the two numbers that work $\ldots$ (thinking, thinking) $\ldots$ how about $\,-15\,$  and  $\,2\,.$ Check them:

  Do they multiply to $\,-30\,$?
  $\,(-15)(2) = -30\,$
  Check!
  
  Do they add to $\,-13\,$?
  $\,-15 + 2 = -13\,$
  Check!

• Now, rename the original trinomial:

It may seem like a lot of work to you. But, over the years, I've divided my classes in half: told one side to use trial-and-error, and the other side to use factor by grouping. The factor by grouping side always wins.

Let's do the same example one more time. This will show you that the order you write the two middle terms doesn't matter. Also, this version is much more compact, and is usually all you'll need to write down.

• $(6)(-5) = -30\,$
  Find two numbers that multiply to $\,-30\,$ and add to $\,-13\,.$
• Try $\,-15\,$  and  $\,2\,$:
  $(-15)(2) = -30$   Check!
  $-15 + 2 = -13$   Check!
• Rename:

Motivation for the ‘Factor by Grouping’ Method

Here's the motivation for the technique. Start by pulling a random problem out of the air, and FOILing it out:

Don't combine the middle terms. Instead, look at the four numbers generated in the resulting sum:

The product of the first and last is:  $\,(15)(-7) = -105$

The product of the middle two is:  $\,(21)(-5) = -105$

Is this just a coincidence? It's not a coincidence. It's always true:

The product of the first and last is:  $\,(eg)(fh) = efgh\,$

The product of the middle two is:  $\,(eh)(fg) = efgh\,$

Same result. Other than being a curious observation, what good is this?

Ends up that it's a lot of good. If we're trying to factor a trinomial by grouping, and we're looking for the right way to rename the middle term, then we know two things:

• the two unknown numbers must add to $\,b\,$
• the two unknown numbers must multiply to $\,ac\,$

The rest of the argument is more advanced, and is primarily included for the sake of the teacher. Click here, if you're interested in taking a look.

Practice