Question 288968
Factoring actually means to "divide out.".  When you are asked to "factor" a polynomial expression, you are actually told to write the expression as a product of factors.  Often you are asked to factor "relative to the integers."  This means that your factors cannot include rational, irrational, or imaginary numbers.

Factoring the trinomial ax^2 + bx + c relative to the integers.  Assume a = 1.

Using "educated guessing", find two integers whose product equals c and whose sum equals b.  These integers are always factors of c.  If this is not possible, the trinomial cannot be factored relative to the integers. 

Form a product using two binomials containing the variable x and each of the integers found.