Christmas Tree Method

Factoring Trinomials Of The Type: ax

2
+ bx + c, a 1
xplanation ! "ractice

12x
2
17x 5
Step 1: Draw a triangle with the apex above the middle term of the equation.
Step 2: Multiply first term and last term coefficients: 12 x !" # $%
Step &: 'dentify the factors of $%( that when added together will equal the coefficient of the middle
term. )he factors are 2% and &.
Step *: +eplace the middle term with the factors from Step & add the variable to the factor" and
place them below the equation toward the base of the triangle. ,lace the first and last term of
the equation outside of the triangle.
Step !: -actor the first two terms and the last two terms( and place the factori.ation on each side of
the tree trun/.
Step $: )he terms in the parentheses are one factor. )he second factor is the combination of the
terms outside the parentheses of the first factor the common factor".
Christmas Tree Method
Explanation & Practice
10/16/1mm!"d
!%0
12x
2
17x 5
12x
2
17x 5
12x
2
20x # $x 5
12x
2
17x 5
12x
2
20x # $x 5
x %$x 5& #1 %$x 5&
12x
2
17x 5
12x
2
20x # $x 5
x %$x 5& #1 %$x 5&
%x # 1& %$x 5&
' Please note this method can (e )sed on an* trinomial+ x
2
# bx # c or ax
2
# bx # c
1. $x
2
# 11x # 6
2, 2x
2
# 1$x 7
$, x
2
# 5x # 6
Christmas Tree MethodExplanation & Practice
10/16/1mm!"d
!%0
2
$x
2
# 11x # 6
1-

$x
2
# .x # 2x # 6
$x %x # $& # 2 %x # $&
%x # $& %$x # 2&
2x
2
# 1$x 7
1

2x
2
# 1x 1 x 7
2x %x # 7& 1 %x # 7&
%x # 7& %2x 1&
1x
2
# 5x # 6
6

x
2
# $x # 2 x # 6
x %x # $& # 2 %x # $&
%x # $& %x # 2&
Alternate Explanation
Grouping Method: The /ro)pin/ method eliminates the need "or trial and error,
E01MP2E+ 3actor $x
2
16x 12
Solution:
1, M)ltipl* the leadin/ coe""icient and the constant term,
$%12& 4 $6
2, 3ind t5o n)m(ers 5hose prod)ct e6)als $6 and 5hose s)m e6)als the middle
coe""icient7 16, T5o s)ch n)m(ers are 2 and 1-,
$, 8e5rite the trinomial7 splittin/ the middle term accordin/ to the selected "actors
%16x 4 2x 1-x&
$x
2
# 2x 1-x 12
and /ro)p the "irst t5o terms to/ether and the last t5o terms to/ether,
%$x
2
# 2x& # % 1-x 12&
$, 8emo9e common "actors "rom each /ro)pin/,
x%$x # 2& 6%$x # 2&
, 8emo9e the common "actor %$x # 2& "rom the entire expression+
%$x # 2&%x 6&
TRY THESE:
3actor completel*,
1, x
2
1$x # $
, 7x
2
# 2$x # 6
7, 2a
2
# a 6
10, x
2
# 7x 15
1$, $x
2
x 2
16, $x
2
# 11x 20
1., .a
2
15a 1
2, 5a
2
-a # $
5, 12(
2
( 6
-, 2x
2
# $x 2
11, $x
2
# 6x # $
1, 7x
2
# 12$x 5
17, a
2
# a $
20, 16c
2
-c # $5
$, 5x
2
# 11x # 2
6, 6x
2
7x # 2
., 5x
2
$-x # 21
12, 2x
2
# 11x # 12
15, x
2
10x # 6
1-, .x
2
27x # 1-
Christmas Tree MethodExplanation & Practice
10/16/1mm!"d
!%0
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s
w
e
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1
&
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x

$
&
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a

1
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5
a

$
&
%
5
x

#

1
&
%
x

#

2
&
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7
x

#

2
&
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x

#

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&
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&
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2
&
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2
x

1
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x

2
&
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2
a

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2
x

1
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2
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5
x

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x

7
&
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x

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2
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x

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x

1
&
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7
x

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&
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x

#

1
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&
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2
x

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$
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2
x

#

2
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x

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x

#

5
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2
a

#

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2
a

1
&
.
%
x

2
&
%
x

1
&
%
$
a

7
&
%
$
a

#

2
&
%

5
&
%

7
&
509
Some people
have a knack
for factoring
and can quickly
factor a
trinomial by
trial and error.
Others rely on
the longer but
surer grouping
method.