Explanation

Factoring polynomials involves breaking them into products of simpler polynomials.

Common factoring methods:

• GCF

• Trinomials (x² + bx + c)

• Difference of squares

• Perfect square trinomials

Examples:
x² − 16 = (x − 4)(x + 4)
x² + 6x + 9 = (x + 3)²

Always factor completely by checking for a GCF first.