DISTRIBUTIVE LAW

Factorization is the process of writing an algebraic expression in the form of a

product of factors.

Using the distributive law, you can expand the product of factors x and y + z to
give the expression xy + xz .

Thus x y + z xy + xz

Conversely, you can start with xy + xz and write it as a product of factors, x y + z .

To factorize an expression with two terms:

Write each term as a product of factors.
Choose the highest common factor (HCF) of the terms.
Factorize the terms, using the HCF and the distributive law.

The rules for multiplication of signs are as follows:

(a) + + = +
(b) = +
(c) + =
(d) + =

EXAMPLE 1:

Factorize completely: 4xy2 +12xy

SOLUTION

Given that 4xy2 +12xy

The HCF is 4xy
Using the distributive law, we divide both terms by the HCF, we get

4xy y + 3

Hence, 4xy +12xy 4xy y + 3

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EXAMPLE 2:

Simplify: -2x 3 + 4x

SOLUTION

Given that -2x 3 + 4x

Using the distributive law, we get

-2x 3 + 4x

= 2x 3 2x 4x
6x 8x 2

Hence, -2x 3 + 4x 6x 8x 2

EXAMPLE 3:

Simplify: 2 x + 3 + 3 x - 4 - 5 x -1

SOLUTION

Given that 2 x + 3 + 3 x - 4 - 5 x -1

Using the distributive law, we get

2 x + 3 + 3 x - 4 - 5 x -1

= 2 x + 2 3 + 3 x + 3 -4 - 5 x - 5 -1
2x +6 + 3x -12 - 5x +5

Grouping like terms, we get

2x + 3x - 5x + 6 -12 + 5

Adding like terms, we get

= 1

Hence, 2 x + 3 + 3 x - 4 - 5 x -1 = 1
EXAMPLE 4:

Expand and Simplify: 4x - 3 2x + 5

SOLUTION

Given that 4x - 3 2x + 5
Using the first parenthesis to distributive law the second, we get

4x - 3 2x + 5
= 4x 2x + 4x +5 - 3 2x - 3 5
= 8x 2 + 20x - 6x -15

Adding like terms, we get

= 8x 2 +14x 15

Hence, 4x - 3 2x + 5 = 8x 2 +14x 15

EXAMPLE 5:

x - 9
2
Expand and Simplify:

SOLUTION

x - 9 x - 9 x - 9
2
Given that

Using the first parenthesis to distributive law the second, we get

x - 9 x - 9 x - 9
2

= x x + x -9 - 9 x - 9 -9
= x2 - 9x - 9x + 81

Adding like terms, we get

= x 2 -18x + 81

Hence, x - 9 = x 2 -18x + 81
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EXERCISE C3

Fractorise completely

1. a2b + 2ab 2. x 2 - 5x

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3. 6a2b3 +12a4b 4. x 2 - xy

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5. 3 x - y + 4 x + 2y 6. 2x x + 5 - 3 x - 4

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7. 2k - 3k - 2 8. 2x 3 y +6x 2 y2

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9. 2x 3 - 8x 10. xy3 + x 2 y
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11. a3 -12a 12. 6y2 -18xy

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