Summary of factoring techniques

Here are the steps for factoring polynomials in Intermediate Algebra:

If necessary, put the polynomial in standard form.
If possible, pull out any factors common to all terms (§6.1).
If there are four terms, try factoring by grouping (§6.1).
If there are three terms, try factoring into two binomials (§§6.2&6.3) or factoring as a perfect square (§6.4).
If there are two terms (or if you now have factors with two terms), try factoring as a sum or difference of squares or cubes (§6.4).
Keep factoring the factors until you can factor no further (§6.5).

These techniques will work for all polynomials up to degree 2 and for some polynomials of higher degree.

This web page was written in 2010 and 2011 by Toby Bartels, last edited on 2011 October 12. Toby reserves no legal rights to it.