Factoring quadratics. Game on.

Factoring quadratics is a grade 9 math skill aligned to Common Core standard HSA.SSE.A.2: use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it. Below are 8 practice questions with answers and step-by-step explanations, drawn from the 30 factoring quadratics problems our math games drill.

CCSS HSA.SSE.A.230 questions in the bank
Kickoff

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Warm-upeasy

Factor: x216x^{2} - 16.

x216x^{2} - 16 is a difference of squares: x242x^{2} - 4^{2}. So x216=(x+4)(x4)x^{2} - 16 = (x + 4)(x - 4).

Mid-gameeasy

Factor: 10x215x10x^{2} - 15x.

The greatest common factor of 10x210x^{2} and 15x15x is 5x5x. So 10x215x=5x(2x3)10x^{2} - 15x = 5x(2x - 3).

Mid-gameeasy

Factor: x2+7x+12x^{2} + 7x + 12.

Two numbers that multiply to 1212 and add to 77 are 33 and 44. So x2+7x+12=(x+3)(x+4)x^{2} + 7x + 12 = (x + 3)(x + 4).

Mid-gameeasy

Factor: x225x^{2} - 25.

x225x^{2} - 25 is a difference of squares: x252x^{2} - 5^{2}. So x225=(x+5)(x5)x^{2} - 25 = (x + 5)(x - 5).

Mid-gameeasy

Factor: 12x2+8x12x^{2} + 8x.

The greatest common factor of 12x212x^{2} and 8x8x is 4x4x. So 12x2+8x=4x(3x+2)12x^{2} + 8x = 4x(3x + 2).

Mid-gameeasy

Factor: x25x14x^{2} - 5x - 14.

Two numbers that multiply to 14-14 and add to 5-5 are 7-7 and 22. So x25x14=(x7)(x+2)x^{2} - 5x - 14 = (x - 7)(x + 2).

Mid-gameeasy

Factor: x23x+2x^{2} - 3x + 2.

Two numbers that multiply to 22 and add to 3-3 are 1-1 and 2-2. So x23x+2=(x1)(x2)x^{2} - 3x + 2 = (x - 1)(x - 2).

Buzzer beatereasy

Factor: x2x12x^{2} - x - 12.

Two numbers that multiply to 12-12 and add to 1-1 are 33 and 4-4. So x2x12=(x+3)(x4)x^{2} - x - 12 = (x + 3)(x - 4).

Overtime

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