Quadratics

Common Factoring 

 

To common factor, you must make sure that the a, b and c values all have a common factor (ax²+bx+c)

 

For example

Standard form equation: 2x²+12x+16

 

Step 1: Find the common factor and divide the entire equation by it 

           

           2 (x²+6x+8)

 

Step 2: Normally factor (Simple factoring - Guess and check)

 

           2 (x+2) (x+4)

 

Question

 

If the standard form equation is 3x²+12x+9, what would it be in factored form?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solution

 

Step 1: Find the common factore and divide the entire equation by it

 

           3 (x²+4x+3)

 

Step 2: Normally factor (simple factoring - Guess and check)

 

           3(x+1) (x+3)