Answer :
1) Does the polynomial have a GCF? If yes, factor out the GCF. leaving the GCF times the "residual" polynomial.
2) Is the residual polynomial a binomial? If yes...
a) is it a difference of squares? If yes, factor as product of sum and difference of same two expressions.
2) Is the residual polynomial a binomial? If yes...
a) is it a difference of squares? If yes, factor as product of sum and difference of same two expressions.