Ch. 8 Quadratic Equations Workbook Key

Factoring

Writing a sum or difference of monomials as a product of polynomials.

Difference of Squares

A factoring technique used when an expression is of the form a² - b², factored as (a + b)(a - b).

Trinomials by Inspection

Factoring trinomials by looking for two numbers that multiply to c and add to b.

Decomposition

A method of factoring trinomials by splitting the middle term into two terms.

Zero Product Law

If the product of multiple factors is zero, then at least one of the factors must be zero.

Quadratic Formula

A formula used to find the roots of quadratic equations, given by x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a.

Inspections Method

Factoring polynomials by inspecting for common factors or recognizing simple patterns.

Group Factoring

Factoring by grouping similar terms in a polynomial to simplify the expression.

Roots of a Quadratic Equation

The values of the variable that satisfy the equation, found where the graph intersects the x-axis.

Algebra Tiles

Manipulative tools that visually represent polynomials and help in factoring.

Completing the Square

A method used to solve quadratic equations by rewriting them in the form (x - p)² = q.

Quadratic Expression

An expression of the form ax² + bx + c where a, b, and c are constants.

Intercept Form

The format of a quadratic function written as f(x) = a(x - p)(x - q) where p and q are the x-intercepts.

Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

The highest factor that two or more numbers or terms share.

Binomial

A polynomial with two terms, such as (a + b) or (x - y).