UCSS Math II 3A.2.3 Example 4

Factor [math]2a^2 – 16a + 32[/math], and then verify your results.

[list=1] [*]Determine any common factors of the given trinomial, if common factors exist. [*]Set up two sets of parentheses and write the variable as the first term in each set of parentheses. [*]List all of the possible sets of factors for the constant term (include both positive and negative numbers). [*]Determine which set of factors has a sum that equals the coefficient of the first-degree term. [*]Write the correct factors (including their signs) as the second terms in the two sets of parentheses. [*]Distribute the factors to verify that they result in the original trinomial. [/list] This applet is provided by Walch Education as supplemental material for the [i]UCSS Secondary Math II[/i] program. Visit [url="http://www.walch.com"]www.walch.com[/url] for more information on our resources.