The document provides instructions for factoring quadratic trinomials using 4 examples. It explains that you write the trinomial as two parentheses, factor the constant term into the parentheses, then check that the factors give the middle term of the original expression when multiplied out. The process involves 4 steps and is demonstrated factoring expressions like x^2 + 10x + 24 and x^2 - 8x + 15.

1. FACTORING QUADRATIC TRINOMIALS
Example 1 : X2 + 10X + 24
Step 2 Factor the first term which is x2
(x )(x )
Step 4 Check the middle term
(x + 6)(x + 4)
6x  multiply 6 and x
+ 4x  multiply 4 and x
10x  Add the 2 terms. If the sum of the terms is
the middle term in the given quadratic
trinomial then the factors are correct.
Answer: (x + 6)(x + 4)
Step 1 Write 2 parenthesis.
( )( )
Step 3 Factor the 3rd term which is 24.
(x + 6)(x + 4) 6•4

2. FACTORING QUADRATIC TRINOMIALS
Example 2 : X2 - 8X + 15
Step 2 Factor the first term which is x2
(x )(x )
Step 4 Check the middle term
(x - 5)(x - 3)
-5x  multiply -5 and x
+ -3x  multiply -3 and x
-8x  Add the 2 terms. If the sum of the terms is
the middle term in the given quadratic
trinomial then the factors are correct.
Answer: (x - 5)(x - 3)
Step 1 Write 2 parenthesis.
( )( )
Step 3 Factor the 3rd term which is 15.
(x - 5)(x - 3) -5 • -3

3. FACTORING QUADRATIC TRINOMIALS
Example 3 : X2 - X - 56
Step 2 Factor the first term which is x2
(x )(x )
Step 4 Check the middle term
(x - 8)(x + 7)
-8x  multiply -8 and x
+ 7x  multiply 7 and x
-x  Add the 2 terms. If sum of the terms is the
middle term in the given quadratic
trinomial then the factors are correct.
Answer: (x - 8)(x + 7)
Step 1 Write 2 parenthesis.
( )( )
Step 3 Factor the 3rd term which is -56.
(x - 8)(x + 7) -8 • 7

4. FACTORING QUADRATIC TRINOMIALS
Example 4 : X2 + 11X - 26
Step 2 Factor the first term which is x2
(x )(x )
Step 4 Check the middle term
(x + 13)(x - 2)
13x  multiply 13 and x
+ -2x  multiply -2 and x
11x  Add the 2 terms. If sum of the terms is the
middle term in the given quadratic
trinomial then the factors are correct.
Answer: (x + 13)(x - 2)
Step 1 Write 2 parenthesis.
( )( )
Step 3 Factor the 3rd term which is -26.
(x + 13)(x - 2) 13 • -2