Factoring Trinomials of the Form x² + bx + c

Trinomials, such as x² + 5x + 6 and x²-4x- 21, are called trinomials of the form x² + bx + c
because the coefficient " squared " term is 1. In general, x² is called the first or leading term, bx
is called the middle term, and c is called the last or constant term. The steps we use to factor
trinomials of this form are based on the patterns that occur when we FOIL binomials.

1) Arrange the terms in descending order (from highest power to lowest power) so that the
expression takes the form: x² + bx + c .
2) Look for a GCF (Greatest Common Factor) and factor it out first. When the leading term
is negative , the GCF is "−1." To factor out a gcf of −1, change the sign on each term.
3) Set up the first terms. Because x² = x□x , the first term of each binomial factor is "x:"
(x )(x )
4) Determine the signs of the binomial factors .

When the constant term is positive ,

! Binomial factors have the same sign: (x + )(x + ) or (x − )(x − ).
! The middle term has the same sign as the binomial factors.
! Factors of the constant term add to "b," the coefficient of the middle term.

When the constant term is negative,

! Binomial factors have opposite signs: (x + )(x − ) or (x − )(x + ).
! Factors of the constant term c subtract to "b."
! The larger factor of these factors has the same sign as the middle term.

5) Find factors of "c" that sum to "b" list the factors of the constant term to find the pair
of factors whose product is "c" and whose sum is "b." (Note: if factors of the constant
term do not sum to "b," the expression is "prime" and cannot be factored.)

7) Write the factorization using the factors found in step 5.

6) Check the result by multiplying.

Example: Factor 2x + 8 x²

Step 1: The terms of the expression are not in descending order. Rearrange the terms so
that they take the form x² + bx + c.

2x + 8 − x² = −x² + 2x + 8

Step 2: Look for a GCF because the leading term is negative, the GCF is −1. Factoring out
the GCF gives us:

−x² + 2x + 8 = −(x² − 2x − 8)

Step 3: Next, factor the inside expression x² − 2x − 8 . Because x² = x x, the first term of
each binomial factor is "x:"

Step 4: Determine the signs of the binomial factors. The constant term is negative. This
means the binomial factors have opposite signs:

Step 5: Find the factors of 8 that sum to 2, the coefficient of the middle term. Because the
middle term is negative, the larger factor of 8 must be negative. Factors of 8 that sum to
2 are 2 and 4.

Step 6: Write the factorization using the factors found in Step 5. Don’t forget to write the GCF
as part of the factorization!

Step 7: To check the result, multiply the binomial factors first then distribute the GCF:

−(x + 2)(x − 4) = −(x² − 4x + 2x − 8) = −(x² − 2x − 8) = −x² + 2x + 8