Remember: There is more than 1 way to do everything.
This is only one way. Whatever works for you.
Quadratic formula
1. Get the quadratic equation in standard form (ax2+bx+c=0).
2. 
3. Substitute for a,b, and c.
4. seperate into 2 equations (+ and -)
Roots of a quadratic equation
1. Get everything to 1 side (set =0)
2. Factor
3. Set each factor=0
4. Solve each equation for x.
5. Check your solutions.
Factoring trinomial when a is not =1 (Lesson 5)
1-4. Same as when a=1
5. Rewrite original equation as ax2+first(x)+second(x)+c
6. Pull out common factors of first two terms and last two terms.
7. Answer = (shared terms)(remaining terms.
Ex: 3x2-x-4
3(-4)=-12 -12=-1(12), 1(-12), -2(6), 2(-6), 3(-4), -3(4)
-4+3=-1
3x2+3x-4x-4
3x(x+1)+-4(x+1)
(x+1)(3x+4)
Factoring trinomial with a=1 (ax2+bx+c) (Lesson 5)
1. Multiply a(c)
2. Find all factor pairs of that number. (call them first and second)
3. Choose the pair whose SUM is b.
4. Factors are (x+first)(x+second) (minus if negative)
Ex: x2-5x-14
1(-14)=-14 -14=-1(14), 1(-14), -2(7), or 2(-7)
-7+2=-5
(x+2)(x-7) = answer
Common Factors: (Lesson 4)
1. Write each part expanded to lowest form (ex 4x2=2*2*x*x)
2. Everything that is shared circle (or underline)
3. Write Shared Terms(Leftover Terms)
Ex. 12x2y+18xy2
2*2*3*x*x*y + 2*3*3*x*y
2*3*x*y(2*x+3*y) or 6xy(2x+3y)
Difference of Perfect Squares: (Lesson 4)
1. Take the square root of each part.
2. Answer is (square root of first + square root of second)(Square root of first - square root of second)
Ex. x2-y2 Factors to: (x+y)(x-y)
Solving Absolute Value Inequalities: (Lesson 3)
1-5. Same as solving an equation (don't worry about sign yet)
6. If original question is < then "Thumbs Down."
Your solution will look like smaller number < x < bigger number
7. If original question is > then "Thumbs Up."
Your solution will look like x
x> bigger number
Solving Absolute Value Equations: (Lesson 2)
1. Get the absolute value by itself on one side
2. Once the absolute value is by itself, make sure it equals a positive number otherwise there are no solutions.
3. Set up 2 equations, 1 where it equals what it equals, the other where it equals the negative. ONLY negate the right side.
4. Solve for each equations using inverse operations. (addition<-->subtraction, multiplication<-->division)
5. There will be 2 solutions (unless = 0)