Today we begin factoring, which is the second big idea in this chapter. With factoring you begin with a polynomial sum and end with a polynomial product. Just like you prime factored numbers in chapter 1, you'll now be prime factoring polynomials. The first set of videos concentrate on factoring out a greatest common factor and the second set of videos discuss guess and check which is the first technique for factoring trinomials. This material is covered on pages 219-230 in the Engaging Algebra text.
5.5 Factoring out the GCF
After practicing with these videos you'll be able to recognize, and "factor out", the greatest common factor from a polynomial sum (and/or difference).
5.6 Factoring with Guess and Check
After mastering this material you'll be able to factor trinomials using a procedure that's often called guess and check. (Another common name for this procedure is trial and error).