When I was in Year 11, I found factoring quadratics pretty tough sometimes. I made a lot of mistakes! Here are some common traps to avoid. These tips might help you out a lot!

1. Know the Structure: A quadratic expression usually looks like this: $ax^2 + bx + c$. It’s important to identify the $a$, $b$, and $c$ in the equation because knowing this helps with factoring. If you don’t notice these, you might get lost.

2. Watch the Signs: The signs in the equation really matter! For example, when you factor $x^2 - 5x + 6$, look for two numbers that multiply to $c$ (which is $6$) and add up to $b$ (which is $-5$). It’s easy to miss the negative signs!

3. Don’t Rush to Use the Formula: A lot of students jump to the quadratic formula ($x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$) too quickly. While this formula is important, try factoring first when you can. It’s often simpler for basic quadratics.

4. Remember to Factor Out Common Factors: Always check for common factors first! For example, in $2x^2 + 4x$, pull out the $2$ first: $2(x^2 + 2x)$. This makes the next steps a lot easier!

5. Double-Check Your Work: After you factor, always expand your factors to see if you get back to the original expression. This will help you catch any mistakes before it’s too late!

By keeping these tips in mind, you can tackle quadratics more easily. Happy factoring!