How to find factors by grouping?

Grouping is very important when finding factors. It helps you identify polynomial equations. GCF (Greatest Common Factor) is the normal method used to determine the polynomial.

If there is any case that this normal method doesn’t work, we use the grouping factor.

The steps below can be used to find factors

1. Group the first two terms than the last two terms. Kindly note when there is a negative sign in the first term of the second group; if you place the sign in front of the bracket, note that it will automatically change the sign of both terms

2. Factor out a GCF from each separate binomial

3. Lastly, factor out of the common binomial.

Group the first two terms together and the last two terms.

* The next step that you are going to do is to factor out the GCF from each separate binomial.

* The next step that you are going to do is to factor out the binomial. If you would just multiply the answer, you will just get the polynomial.

*Remember that it is important that you know what the common factor is so that you can proceed. If you do not know the common factor, it can get more complicated.

Remember that when you factor in pairs, you would normally try out factoring quadratics too.

To factor a polynomial, the normal method is to determine the GCF of the polynomial. The GCF is the Greatest Common Factor of the polynomial. However, there are some cases or questions on polynomial whereby there are no GCFs.

What to do in that instance is to factor the polynomial by grouping. Here are the steps to be taken when factoring out by the grouping method.

• The first step is to group the first two and also the last two terms together in two separate brackets. Care needs to be taken when the first term in the second group has a negative sign at its front. If you place the sign at the front of the bracket during factoring, note that the sign between both terms with change.

• The second step is to factor out a GCF from the grouped binomial.

• The final step is the factoring out of the common binomial.

Grouping is important to know if working with equations that are polynomial.

The following steps can be taken to find factors using the grouping method.

• If using the quadratic equation, be sure the equation has the format ax2 + bx + c.

• Find the master product by multiplying a and c together.

• The master product should then be separated into factor pairs.

• Then, find a factor pair that has a sum equal to b

• The center term should be split into two factors.

• Then, make pairs out of the terms

• Each pair should be factored out

• The shared parentheses can also be factored out, and then the answer can be found.