How To: Factor trinomials

In this video, the instructor shows how to factor trinomials. An equation is a trinomial if it has three terms. If you factor a trinomial, you are left with two binomials which are the factors of the original trinomial. Multiplying them would result in the original trinomial. Now factor the last numerical term such that the sum or difference of those factors gives you the numerical coefficient of the middle term. Now split the middle term according to the factors obtained in the previous term. These give you the second terms of the two binomial. The instructor goes on to show how to apply this method using six examples. This video also shows how to factor trinomials with leading numerical coefficients.