Rules for Factoring Trinomials with a > 1 ax² + bx + c
X Method ----> Bottoms Up

• ALWAYS check for a GCF first.

• If we use the X Method (Bottoms Up)

• Multiply a and c and put it in the top, put b in the bottom

• Find the pair of numbers that multiply to give you ac and add up to b.

• Once you find them divide the factors by a

• Go Bottoms Up

• Check your work!

Rules for Factoring Trinomials with a > 1 ax² + bx + c
Bubble Method

• ALWAYS check for a GCF first or factor out a negative if a is negative

• Bubble your factors for a and bubble your factors for c

• Were looking for the bubbles that multiply and add to get b

• Once you find it write your two sets of ( )

• **Remember who they connect to go into opposite ( ).

• Check your work!

Example: 3a² + 4a + 1 (a= , b= , c= )

Example: 4y² + 7y - 2 (a= , b= , c= )

Example: 6x² + 5x - 6 (a= , b= , c= )