Quadratic Basics and Factoring Techniques
A quadratic polynomial always has the standard form ax² + bx + c, where a, b, and c are coefficients and a can't equal zero. Knowing this form helps you recognize quadratics instantly.
When working with special patterns like conjugates (terms with the same first term but opposite second terms), you'll get predictable results. For example, x−5x+5 = x² - 25. This pattern appears frequently, so it's worth memorizing.
Factoring shortcuts can save you tons of time. Remember patterns like a+b² = a² + 2ab + b² and a−b² = a² - 2ab + b². When facing problems with many terms, try factoring by grouping - find a GCF first, group terms equally, take out common factors, then look for shared binomials.
Pro Tip: The Zero Product Property is your secret weapon for solving quadratic equations! When a product equals zero, at least one factor must equal zero. So in x+px+q = 0, your solutions are x = -p and x = -q.