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It will help you factor polynomials                   Reverse-distribute the largest number that evenly divides all coefficients and the smallest degree of each variable. YES Is there a Greastest Common Factor amongst all the terms? NO Are there four terms? YES Use Factoring by Grouping (section 6.1) Repeat at step 1 for each factor. NO     Are there three terms? YES Is the lead coeffiecient 1? YES Do "reverse FOIL". find the factors of the last term that add to the middle term. NO NO Are each A and B a square? YES Is it a difference? NO Are there two terms? Do either "reverse FOIL" factors of the outside that cross to add to the middle, OR Tri by Grouping. Repeat at step 1 for each factor. YES NO Factors are (A+B)(A-B) The polynomial is prime.   Repeat at step 1 for each factor.   Repeat at step 1 for each factor.