Factoring Trinomials

A trinomial is a set of 3 terms that looks like ax² + bx + c

When someone says 'Factor that trinomial!' they mean make it look like (ax + b) * (cx + d)

Here's how to do that...

Let's see an example: x² + 9x + 8

First, look at the factors of 'c' (in this case, 8)

8 -> 1 * 8, 2 * 4

Great! Now, of those pairs... which two would add up to 'b' (in this case, 9)

1 and 8, yeah!

Now place them in our final form...

(x + 1) * (x + 8)

Victory!

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