How is factoring a trinomial different than factoring a number?

Hope this answers the question.

Step-by-step explanation:

Factoring a number: If you use the number 10, for example, you have to find all the factors to factor it. 1, 2, 5, 10.

Factoring a trinomial: If you use the trinomial x^2 + 16 + 64, for example, to factor it you need to first find what numbers multiply up to 64 and also add up to 16. In this case, those numbers are 8, and so you get (x + 8) ^2.