Factoring 6-Basic Trinomials Part I

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Taught by YourMathGal
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Part of video series
Meets NCTM Standards:
Lesson Summary:

In this video, the instructor demonstrates how to factor basic trinomials of the form x squared plus bx plus c using the product and sum method. The approach involves identifying two numbers that have a product equal to the constant term of the trinomial and a sum equal to the coefficient of the x term. The instructor walks through several examples, highlighting different methods to find the correct numbers, and reminds viewers to check their work using the FOIL or box method.

Lesson Description:

This video (part 1) shows a method of factoring a basic trinomial of the form x-squared + bx + c into the product of 2 binomials using the product and sum approach.

More free YouTube videos by Julie Harland are organized at http://yourmathgal.com

Questions answered by this video:
  • Is there a systematic way of factoring basic trinomials that start with x^2?
  • How do you factor trinomials?
  • Is there an easy way to factor trinomials with a leading coefficient of 1?
  • How do you factor x^2 - 5x + 4?
  • How do you factor x^2 + 5x - 36?
  • How do you factor n^2 - 20n + 75?
  • How do you factor x^2 - 3x - 180?
  • How do you factor x^2 + x - 2?
  • How can you figure out what numbers goes in parentheses when you factor a trinomial?
  • How can you figure out what two numbers multiply to 4 and add to -5?
  • How would you factor m^2 + 9m + 20?
  • Staff Review

    • Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
    This lesson is a beginning tutorial on factoring basic trinomials that have a leading coefficient of 1 (they look like x^2 + 3x - 4). A systematic way of figuring out how a trinomial factors is explained.