The Diamond Method of Factoring a Quadratic Equation
Important:
Remember that the first step in any factoring is to look at each term and factor out the greatest
common factor. For example: 3x2 + 6x + 12 = 3(x2 + 2x + 4) AND 5x2 + 10x = 5x(x + 2)
If the leading coefficient is negative, always factor out the negative. For example:
-2x2 - x + 1 = -1(2x2 + x - 1) = -(2x2 + x - 1)
Using the Diamond Method:
Example 1
2
Factor 2x + 11x + 15 using the Diamond Method.
+30
2
Step 1: Multiply the coefficient of the x term (+2) and the constant (+15) and
place this product (+30) in the top quarter of a large “X.”
Step 2: Place the coefficient of the middle term in the bottom quarter of the
“X.” (+11)
+11
Step 3: List all factors of the number in the top quarter of the “X.”
+30
(+1)(+30) (-1)(-30)
(+2)(+15) (-2)(-15)
(+3)(+10) (-3)(-10)
(+5)(+6) (-5)(-6) +30
Step 4: Identify the two factors whose sum gives the number in the bottom
quarter of the “x.” (5 ∙ 6 = 30 and 5 + 6 = 11) and place these factors in
+5 +6
the left and right quarters of the “X” (order is not important).
+11
Step 5: Break the middle term of the original trinomial into the sum of two terms
formed using the right and left quarters of the “X.” That is, write the first
2
term of the original equation, 2x , then write 11x as + 5x + 6x (the num
bers from the “X”), and finally write the last term of the original equation,
+15 , to get the following 4-term polynomial:
2x2 + 11x + 15 = 2x2 + 5x + 6x + 15
Step 6: Factor by Grouping:
Group the first two terms together and the last two terms together. 2x2 + 5x + 6x + 15
Factor out common factors from each group. x(2x + 5) + 3(2x + 5)
Factor out the common binomial factor. (2x + 5)(x + 3)
Example 2
2
Factor 12x - 5x - 2 using the Diamond Method. -24
Step 1: Multiply the coefficient of the x2 term (+12) and the constant (-2) and
place this product (-24) in the top quarter of a large “X.”
Step 2: Place the coefficient of the middle term in the bottom of the “X.” (-5)
Step 3: List all factors of -24: -24 -5
(+1)(-24) (-1)(+24)
(+2)(-12) (-2)(+12) -24
(+3)(-8) (-3)(+8)
(+4)(-6) (-4)(+6)
+3 -8
Step 4: Identify the factors whose sum is –5: (+3 ∙ -8 = -24 and 3 - 8 = -5) and -5
place them in the left and right quarters of the “X” (order is not important).
Step 5: Break the middle term of the original trinomial into the sum of two terms formed using the right and
left quarters of the “X.” 12x2 - 5x - 2 = 12x2 + 3x - 8x - 2
Step 6: Factor by Grouping:
Group the first two terms together and the last two terms together. 12x2 + 3x - 8x - 2
Factor out common factors from each group. (Factor out negative.) 3x(4x + 1) - 2(4x + 1)
Factor out the common binomial factor. (4x + 1)(3x - 2)
Example 3
2
Factor 16x - 26x + 3 using the Diamond Method.
Step 1: (+48) Step 2: (-26)
Step 3: List all factors of 48: +48 +48
(+1)(+48) (-1)(-48)
(+2)(+24) (-2)(-24) -2 -24
(+3)(+16) (-3)(-16)
(+4)(+12) (-4)(-12) -26
(+6)(+8) (-6)(-8)
Step 4: Identify the factors whose sum is -26: - 2 - 24 = - 26
2 2
Step 5: 16x - 26x + 3 = 16x - 2x - 24x + 3
Step 6: Factor by Grouping:
Group the first two terms together and the last two terms together. 16x2 - 2x - 24x + 3
Factor out common factors from each group. (Factor out negative.) 2x(8x - 1) - 3(8x - 1)
Factor out the common binomial factor. (8x - 1)(2x - 3)
