Presentation Script: Factoring Techniques
JAZLEEN: Good day, everyone! We are here to explain our infographic about Factoring Techniques. At
the top of our infographic, we define factoring as the process of breaking down an algebraic expression
into simpler expressions called factors. When these factors are multiplied together, they produce the
original expression. Factoring is an essential algebraic skill because it helps simplify expressions and
solve equations more efficiently. Our infographic presents six common factoring techniques, along with
their definitions, formulas, and examples.
REIGN: The first factoring technique is the Greatest Common Monomial Factor, or GCMF. This method is
used when all the terms of a polynomial have a common factor. We first identify the greatest common
number and variables shared by every term, then divide each term by that common factor. In the
example shown, the expression is 20a³b² − 30a²b⁴ + 10ab. The greatest common monomial factor is
10ab, so the factored form becomes 10ab(2a²b − 3ab³ + 1). The second technique is the Difference of
Two Squares. This is used when an expression is the difference of two perfect squares. We apply the
formula a² − b² = (a − b)(a + b). In the example, 16x² − 81 is factored into (4x − 9)(4x + 9) after
finding the square roots of each perfect square.
KATHRINE: The third technique is the Perfect Square Trinomial. This method is used when a trinomial
is the square of a binomial. We use the formulas a² + 2ab + b² = (a + b)² and a² − 2ab + b² = (a − b)².
In our example, x² + 10x + 25 is a perfect square trinomial because the first and last terms are perfect
squares, and the middle term is twice the product of their square roots. Therefore, the answer is (x +
5)². The fourth technique is factoring a Quadratic Trinomial where a equals 1. In this method, we find
two numbers whose sum equals the middle coefficient and whose product equals the constant term. In
the example x² + 7x + 12, the numbers are 3 and 4, so the factored form is (x + 3)(x + 4).
JAZLEEN: The fifth technique is factoring a Quadratic Trinomial where a is not equal to 1. Since the
coefficient of x² is greater than one, we first multiply a and c, then find two numbers whose product
equals a × c and whose sum equals b. After rewriting the middle term, we use grouping to factor the
expression. As shown in the infographic, 2x² + 7x + 3 is rewritten as 2x² + 6x + x + 3, then grouped to
obtain the final answer (2x + 1)(x + 3).
REIGN: The last technique is the Sum and Difference of Two Cubes. These methods are used when both
terms are perfect cubes. The infographic includes two formulas: one for the sum of cubes and another
for the difference of cubes. For x³ + 8, the factored form is (x + 2)(x² − 2x + 4). For 8x³ − 27, the
factored form is (2x − 3)(4x² + 6x + 9). These formulas help us factor cube expressions correctly and
efficiently.
KATHRINE: To summarize, our infographic introduces the six major factoring techniques: Greatest
Common Monomial Factor, Difference of Two Squares, Perfect Square Trinomial, Quadratic Trinomial
where a = 1, Quadratic Trinomial where a ≠ 1, and Sum and Difference of Two Cubes. Each technique
follows a specific pattern, so recognizing the form of a polynomial is the key to choosing the correct
factoring method. We hope this infographic helped you better understand the different ways of
factoring algebraic expressions. Thank you for listening!