decomposition or

Guess and Check

list all possibilities and try them

3x2+11x+6

=

(3x+1)(x+6)

(3x+6)(x+1)

(3x+2)(x+3)

(3x+3)(x+2)

 
 

simple factoring

 

x2+7x+12

=(x+3)(x+4)
 

look for perfect square

 

x2 + 8x + 16 = (x + 4)2
 

difference of two squares

 

x2 - y2 = (x+y)(x-y)
 

two factors
 

three factors
 
Flowchart: Terminator: factor out all common termsSummary of Factoring Techniques[1]


[1] Remember to factor common terms first.