Check for a common factor; factor it out first
For trinomials of the form (x^2+bx+c), find two numbers (m) and (n) such that (mcdot n=c) and (m+n=b)
Rewrite as ((x+m)(x+n))
For trinomials of the form (ax^2+bx+c), find two numbers (m) and (n) such that (mcdot n=ac) and (m+n=b)
Split the middle term: (ax^2+bx+c=ax^2+mx+nx+c)
Factor by grouping: ((ax+m)(x+n))
For perfect-square trinomials (x^2pm 2ax+a^2), use ((xpm a)^2)
Verify by expanding the factored form to match the original trinomial