Perfect Square Trinomials

Form for Perfect Square Trinomials:

a2 + 2ab + b2

OR

a2 – 2ab + b2

When factoring:

If the first term and last term are Perfect Squares, check for a perfect square Trinomial

When factoring:

If the first term and last term are Perfect Squares, check for a perfect square Trinomial

a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2

Or

a2 – 2ab + b2 = (a – b)2

Example 1:

x2 + 6x + 9

Example 2:

x2 + 16x + 64

Practice 1:

x2 + 20x + 100

Factoring Trinomials with a Leading Coefficient

ax2 + bx + c

If a ≠ 1, then: 1. Create a list of factors for a and c

ax2 + bx + c

If a ≠ 1, then: 1. Create a list of factors for a and c2. Find a combination of the factors of a and c

that add up to b

ax2 + bx + c

If a ≠ 1, then: 1. Create a list of factors for a and c2. Find a combination of the factors of a and c

that add up to b3. Write the binomials

Example 1:

3x2 + 11x + 6

Example 2:

8x2 – 10x – 3

Example 3:

16x2 – 16x + 4

Practice 1:

5x2 + 12x + 7

Practice 2:

6x2 – 29x – 5

Practice 3:

12x2 + 25x + 13