Identify the greatest common factor and factor it out
Look for special patterns such as difference of squares, perfect square trinomials, and sum or difference of cubes
For trinomials, find two numbers that multiply to the constant term and add to the middle coefficient
Rewrite the middle term if needed and factor by grouping
Group terms into pairs and factor out common factors from each group
Check for a common binomial factor and factor it out
Verify by multiplying the factors back together