Study Guide - Chapter 7: Polynomials and Factoring
7.1 - Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
Key Concepts:
● A polynomial is an expression consisting of variables, coefficients, and exponents that
are non-negative integers.
● Monomials, binomials, and trinomials:
○ Monomial: 3x
○ Binomial: x + 5
○ Trinomial: x² - 4x + 3
● Degree of a Polynomial: The highest exponent of a term in the polynomial.
● Standard Form: A polynomial written with terms in descending order of exponents.
● Adding Polynomials: Combine like terms. Example:
○ (3x² + 5x - 2) + (2x² - 4x + 6) = 5x² + x + 4
● Subtracting Polynomials: Distribute the negative sign and combine like terms.
Example:
○ (4x² - 3x + 7) - (2x² + 5x - 1) = 2x² - 8x + 8
7.2 - Multiplying and Dividing Polynomials
Key Concepts:
● Multiplying a Monomial by a Polynomial: Use the distributive property.
○ Example: 3x(x² - 2x + 4) = 3x³ - 6x² + 12x
● Multiplying Binomials: Use the FOIL method:
○ Example: (x + 3)(x - 2) = x² - 2x + 3x - 6 = x² + x - 6
● Dividing a Polynomial by a Monomial: Divide each term separately.
○ Example: (6x³ - 9x² + 12x) ÷ 3x = 2x² - 3x + 4
7.3 - Special Products of Polynomials
Key Concepts:
● Square of a Binomial:
○ (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²
○ (a - b)² = a² - 2ab + b²
○ Example: (x + 4)² = x² + 8x + 16
● Product of a Sum and Difference:
○ (a + b)(a - b) = a² - b²
○ Example: (x + 5)(x - 5) = x² - 25
7.5 - Factoring x2+bx+cx^2 + bx + c (Trinomials with a=1a = 1)
Key Concepts:
● Find two numbers that multiply to cc and add to bb.
● Example: Factor x2+7x+12x² + 7x + 12:
○ Find two numbers that multiply to 12 and add to 7: (3,4).
○ Rewrite: (x+3)(x+4)(x + 3)(x + 4).
● Example: Factor x2−5x−24x² - 5x - 24:
○ Find two numbers that multiply to -24 and add to -5: (-8,3).
○ Rewrite: (x−8)(x+3)(x - 8)(x + 3).
7.6 - Factoring ax2+bx+cax^2 + bx + c (Trinomials with a≠1a \neq 1)
Key Concepts:
● Multiply aa and cc and find two numbers that sum to bb.
● Factor by grouping.
● Example: Factor 2x2+7x+32x² + 7x + 3:
○ Multiply 2 × 3 = 6. Find two numbers that multiply to 6 and add to 7: (6,1).
○ Rewrite: 2x2+6x+x+32x² + 6x + x + 3.
○ Group: (2x2+6x)+(x+3)(2x² + 6x) + (x + 3).
○ Factor: 2x(x+3)+1(x+3)2x(x + 3) + 1(x + 3).
○ Final: (2x+1)(x+3)(2x + 1)(x + 3).
7.7 - Factoring Special Products
Key Concepts:
● Difference of Squares: a2−b2=(a−b)(a+b)a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b).
○ Example: x2−49=(x−7)(x+7)x² - 49 = (x - 7)(x + 7).
● Perfect Square Trinomials:
○ a2+2ab+b2=(a+b)2a² + 2ab + b² = (a + b)².
○ a2−2ab+b2=(a−b)2a² - 2ab + b² = (a - b)².
○ Example: 4x2+12x+9=(2x+3)24x² + 12x + 9 = (2x + 3)².
7.8 - Factoring Completely
Key Concepts:
● Step 1: Factor out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF).
● Step 2: Factor further if possible.
● Example: Factor 3x3−12x2+3x−123x³ - 12x² + 3x - 12 completely.
○ GCF: 3. Factor out: 3(x3−4x2+x−4)3(x³ - 4x² + x - 4).
○ Group: (x3−4x2)+(x−4)(x³ - 4x²) + (x - 4).
○ Factor common binomial: x2(x−4)+1(x−4)x²(x - 4) + 1(x - 4).
○ Final answer: 3(x−4)(x2+1)3(x - 4)(x² + 1).
Final Tips for Factoring Success:
✔ Always check for a Greatest Common Factor (GCF) first!
✔ Use factoring special products shortcuts when possible.
✔ Double-check your work by multiplying your factors back.
✔ If stuck, try writing out factor pairs of the constant term.
✔ Practice, practice, practice! The more you do, the easier it gets.
This guide provides a structured overview of factoring concepts covered in Algebra 1. Keep
practicing, and you’ll master factoring in no time!
Algebra 1 Study Guide (Big Ideas Math -
California)
7.1 - Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
Practice Problems
1. (3x2+5x+2)+(4x2−2x+7)
2. (6x3−2x2+4)−(3x3+5x2−6)
3. (−x2+7x−9)+(4x2−3x+5)
4. (2a2−4a+7)−(5a3+6a−2)
5. (x4+3x3−x)+(2x4−4x3+5x)
Answer Key
1. 7x2+3x+9
2. 3x3−7x2+10
3. 3x2+4x−4
4. −3a3−10a+9
5. 3x4−x3+4x
7.2 - Multiplying and Dividing Polynomials
Practice Problems
1. (x+3)(x+5)
2. (2x−4)(x2+3x−5)
3. 6x3y2÷3x2y
4. (3x+2)(4x−1)
5. (x2−4x+7)(2x+5)
Answer Key
1. x2+8x+15
2. 2x3+2x2−22x+20
3. 2xy
4. 12x2+5x−2
5. 2x3−3x2−6x+35
7.3 - Special Products of Polynomials
Practice Problems
1. (x+6)2
2. (2x−5)2
3. (x2−49)
4. 4x2−25
5. (3x+2)2
Answer Key
1. x2+12x+36
2. 4x2−20x+25
3. (x−7)(x+7)
4. (2x−5)(2x+5)
5. 9x2+12x+49
7.5 - Factoring x2+bx+cx^2 + bx + cx2+bx+c (a = 1 case)
Practice Problems
1. Factor: x2+7x+12
2. Factor: x2−8x+15
3. Factor: x2+10x+16
4. Factor: x2−5x−24
5. Factor: x2+4x−21
Answer Key
1. (x+3)(x+4)
2. (x−3)(x−5)
3. (x+2)(x+8)
4. (x−8)(x+3)
5. (x−3)(x+7)
7.6 - Factoring ax2+bx+cax^2 + bx + cax2+bx+c (a ≠ 1
case)
Practice Problems
1. Factor: 2x2+7x+3
2. Factor: 3x2−11x−4
3. Factor: 4x2+12x+9
4. Factor: 5x2−13x+6
5. Factor: 6x2+5x−6
Answer Key
1. (2x+1)(x+3)
2. (3x+1)(x−4)
3. (2x+3)2
4. (5x−3)(x−2)
5. (3x−2)(2x+3)
7.7 - Factoring Special Products
Practice Problems
1. Factor: x2−36
2. Factor: 9x2−25y2
3. Factor: 4x2+12x+9
4. Factor: 49x2−64
5. Factor: x2+6x+9
Answer Key
1. (x−6)(x+6)
2. (3x−5y)(3x+5y)
3. (2x+3)2
4. (7x−8)(7x+8)
5. (x+3)2
7.8 - Factoring Completely
Practice Problems
1. Factor: 3x3−12x2+3x−12
2. Factor: 4x3+8x2−20x
3. Factor: 2x4−18x2+32
4. Factor: 5x2−30x+40
5. Factor: x4−16
Answer Key
1. 3(x−4)(x2+1)
2. 4x(x2+2x−5)
3. 2(x2−4)(x2−5)
4. 5(x−2)(x−4)
5. (x−2)(x+2)(x2+4)
