1. Find factors of a (LC) and b (Constant), both positive and negative (±)
2. Test p(b/a) until we get zero as a result of plugging (b/a) into the p(x) original equation → this is a factor, and we need to change it into an “unsolved” equation (e.g. x=1 would be (x-1) if you unsolved it, and thus your factor)
3. Divide by our factor using long division or synthetic division, you must get a remainder of 0
4. Take the factor found in step (2) and the quotient found in step (3) and smoosh them together
5. Factor fully from both brackets, and solve if needed