Tic-Tac-Toe Factoring

A graphic organizer approach to factoring

2nd degree trinomials

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 1
 Tic-tac-toe Factoring
• If you have been having a little bit of trouble with factoring trinomials,
this graphic organizer, based on a common tic-tac-toe grid, may be
just what you need.

• To get the most out of this presentation, use pencil and paper and
work through the instructions slowly and carefully.

• Keep in mind that tic-tac-toe will not do the factoring for you. But it
will keep everything organized so you can concentrate on the
numbers.

• I hope it helps. Have fun!

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 2
 Step 1
• Draw a tic-tac-toe grid with an
extra box at the bottom right.

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 3
 Step 2
• Arrange the three terms of the
trinomial in the boxes as
shown. ax 2 + bx + c

ax 2 c

bx

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 4
 Step 3
• In the upper right box corner
put the product of ax2 and c.
ax 2 + bx + c

ax 2 c ax 2 c

bx

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 5
 Step 4
• Now we will put some numbers
in and work through the
process.
2
ax c ax 2 c

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 6
 Step 4
• Now we will put some numbers
in and work through the 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
process.
ax 2 c ax 2 c
• Use the trinomial 8x2 3 24 x 2
8x2 – 14x + 3 and set it up as
shown.

-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 7
 Step 4
• Now we will put some numbers
in and work through the 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
process.
ax 2 c ax 2 c
• Use the trinomial 8x2 3 24 x 2
8x2 – 14x + 3 and set it up as
shown.

• Remember that the term in the

upper right box is the product
of the terms in the left and
middle boxes.
-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 8
 Step 5
• Now find a pair of factors for
the value of ax2c that will add 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
up to bx.
ax 2 c ax 2 c
• Put these two factors into the
8x2 3 24 x 2
two boxes in the right column.

-12 x

-2 x

-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 9
 Step 6
• Now find a pair of factors for
the middle term of the right 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
column that will also be factors
of ax2 and c. ax 2 c ax 2 c
8x2 3 24 x 2
• Be sure to watch the signs of
the factors.
4x -3 -12 x

-2 x

-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 10
 Step 7
• Now do the same for the
bottom term of the right 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
column.
ax 2 c ax 2 c
8x2 3 24 x 2

4x -3 -12 x

2x -1 -2 x

-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 11
 Step 8
• Now all the boxes of the tic-
tac-toe grid are filled in. 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
ax 2 + bx + c
• Check that the two bottom
terms of the first column are
8x2 3 24 x 2
factors of the top term.

4x -3 -12 x

2x -1 -2 x

-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 12
 Step 8
• Now all the boxes of the tic-
tac-toe grid are filled in. 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
ax 2 + bx + c
• Check that the two bottom
terms of the first column are
8x2 3 24 x 2
factors of the top term.

• Do the same for the terms in 4x -3 -12 x

the middle column.
2x -1 -2 x

-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 13
 Step 9
• The trinomial is now factored.
Each pair of diagonal terms is 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
a binomial. ax 2 + bx + c

8x2 3 24 x 2

4x -3 -12 x

2x -1 -2 x

-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 14
 Step 9
• The trinomial is now factored.
Each pair of diagonal terms is 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
a binomial. ax 2 + bx + c
• Here are the two factors of the
8x2 3 24 x 2
trinomial:

(4x – 1) (2x – 3) 4x -3 -12 x

2x -1 -2 x

-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 15
 Step 9
• The trinomial is now factored.
Each pair of diagonal terms is 8 x 2 - 14x + 3
a binomial. ax 2 + bx + c
• Here are the two factors of the
8x2 3 24 x 2
trinomial:

(4x – 1) (2x – 3) 4x -3 -12 x

Therefore:
2x -1 -2 x
1 3
x and/or x 
4 2
-14 x

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 16
 Try it. You’ll like it!

That’s all folks!

© D. T. Simmons, 2005 17