Math
Factoring by grouping.
Definition
Factoring by grouping is a method used to factor polynomials with four terms by grouping them into two pairs, factoring out the GCF from each pair, and then factoring out the common binomial factor.
How it works · 4 phases
Step by step.
- Group the four terms into two pairs
- Factor out the GCF from each pair
- If both pairs produce the same binomial factor, factor it out
- Write the final factored form as a product of two binomials
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 x³ + 2x² + 3x + 6 = x²(x+2) + 3(x+2) = (x+2)(x²+3)
- 2 2xy + 6x + 3y + 9 = 2x(y+3) + 3(y+3) = (y+3)(2x+3)
- 3 Used to factor harder trinomials like 6x² + 11x + 4 via the AC method