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Factoring
What Is This Module About?
This module is a continuation of the module on polynomials. In the module entitled Studying
Polynomials, you learned what polynomials are as well as how to add, subtract, multiply and
divide them. In this module, you will learn about using special products, factoring and finding the
greatest common factor.
This module is made up of two lessons:
Lesson 1—Special Products
Lesson 2—Factoring Special Products
Wait!
Before you proceed reading this module, be sure to have read the module entitled Studying
Polynomials first. It will help you understand this module better.
Before you start studying this module, take this simple test first to find out how much you
already know about the topics to be discussed.
A. Multiply the following expressions.
1. (x + 1)(x – 1)
2. (x + 2)(2x + 1)
3. (x + 1)(x + 1)
B. Put a 4 in the box if the number is composite and an 8 if it is prime.
1. 21
2. 23
1
3. 7
4. 47
5. 10
C. Find the prime factors of the following numbers.
1. 180
2. 740
D. Find the GCF of the following polynomials.
1. 48x6y7 and 4y5x2
2. 45x5y3 and 15x2y3
Well, how was it? Do you think you fared well? Compare your answers with those in the
Answer Key on page 19 to find out.
If all your answers are correct, very good! You may still study the module to review what
you already know. Who knows, you might learn a few more new things as well.
If you got a low score, don’t feel bad. This only goes to show that this module is for you. It
will help you understand some important concepts that you can apply in your daily life. If you
study this module carefully, you will learn the answers to all the items in the test and a lot more!
Are you ready?
You may go now to the next page to begin Lesson 1.
2
LESSON 1
Special Products
In the module entitled Studying Polynomials, you learned all about polynomials. In this
lesson, you will learn more about them.
After studying this lesson, you should be able to:
♦ multiply polynomials using special products;
♦ differentiate prime from composite numbers;
♦ find the prime factors of an integer; and
♦ find the GCF of a set of monomials.
Let’s Read
You can use the special Using that special product formula, x2 +
How can I product formula a2 + 2ab +
factor out 2x + 1 will be equal to (x + 1)2.
b2 = (a + b)2 to find its Therefore, one of the sides of the square
x2 + 2x + factors. a + b is the
1? mural measures x + 1.
measurement of one of
the mural’s sides.
3
Let’s Review
Let’s Learn
Special Products
Special products are very useful in finding the products of two polynomial factors. Working
with them is just like multiplying polynomials. Below is a list of the different kinds of special
products and examples of each kind.
1. Difference of two squares
♦ When the sum and the difference of a binomial are multiplied to one another, the
product is the difference of the square of the two terms as in:
(x + a)(x – a) = x2 – a2
where: x is a variable
a is a constant number
Examples:
♦ (x + 3)(x – 3) = x2 – 32
= x2 – 9
♦ (2x + 4)(2x – 4) = (2x)2 – 42
= 4x2 – 16
2. Perfect squares
♦ When a binomial is multiplied by itself it is called a perfect square.
(x + a)2 = x2 + 2ax + a2
(x – a)2 = x2 – 2ax + a2
4
Examples:
♦ (x + 3)2 = x2 + 2(3)x + 9
= x2 + 6x + 9
♦ (2x – 1)2 = (2x)2 – 2(1)(2x) + 1
= 4x2 – 4x + 1
3. Sum of two cubes
♦ When the sum of two terms is multiplied by the sum of their squares minus the
product of these terms, the result is the sum of their cubes.
(x + a)(x2 – ax + a2) = x3 + a3
Examples:
♦ (x + 1)(x2 – x + 1) = x3 + 1
♦ (3x + 2)(9x2 – 6x + 4) = [3x + 2][(3x)2 – (2)(3x) + 22]
= (3x)3 + 23
= 27x3 + 8
4. Difference of two cubes
♦ When the difference of two terms is multiplied by the sum of their squares plus
the product of these terms, the result is the difference of their cubes.
(x – a)(x2 + ax + a2) = x3 – a3
Examples:
♦ (x – 2)(x2 + 2x + 4) = (x – 2)(x2 + 2x + 22)
= x3 – 23
= x3 – 8
♦ (2x – 3)(4x2 + 6x + 9) = [2x – 3][(2x)2 + (3)(2x) + 32)
= (2x)3 – 33
= 8x3 – 9
5. Trinomials which are not perfect squares
(ax + b)(cx + d) = acx2 + (ad + bc)x + bd
where: a and c are numerical coefficients
b and d are constants
Examples:
♦ (x + 2)(x + 3) = 1(1)x2 + [1(2) + 1(3)]x + 2(3)
= x2 + 5x + 6
♦ (x – 2)(x + 3) = [x + (–2)](x + 3)
= 1(1)x2 + [1(–2) + 1(3)]x + (–2)(3)
= x2 + x – 6
5
♦ (x – 2)(x – 3) = [x + (–2)][x + (–3)]
= 1(1)x2 + [1(–2) + 1(–3)]x + (–2)(–3)
= x2 – 5x – 6
♦ (2x + 3)(4x + 2) = 2(4)x2 + [2(2) + 3(4)]x + 3(2)
= 8x2 + 16x + 6
Write P in the box if the given number is prime and C if it is composite. In the blank, write
the prime factors of the number. The first has been done as an example for you.
1. 40 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 5
2. 19 = __________
3. 56 = __________
4. 29 = __________
5. 35 = __________
6. 81 = __________
Compare your answers with mine below.
2. P 19 = 1 · 19
3. C 56 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 7
4. P 29 = 1 · 29
5. C 35 = 7 · 5
6. C 81 = 3 · 3 · 3 · 3
Let’s Learn
Factoring Polynomials
Factoring is the process of getting the polynomial factors of a given number or expression.
You learned how to factor out prime and composite numbers earlier. Now, you will learn
how to factor out variables. You will also learn how to factor out polynomials by getting their
greatest common factor or by using special products.
7
Factoring a Polynomial With a Common Factor
To find out how this is done look at the given example below.
EXAMPLE 1 Get the factors of the expression 12x2y – 24x3z.
SOLUTION
STEP 1 Factor out each term and get the GCF of the terms in the given expression.
12x2y = 2·2·3·x·x·y
24x3z = 2·2·2·3·x·x·x·z
GCF = 2·2·3·x·x = 12x2
STEP 2 Take out 12x2 from the polynomial by dividing each term by 12x2.
12 x 2 y − 24 x 3 z
12 x
2
2 2
12 x 12 x
= 12x2[(12 ÷ 12)x(2 – 2)y – (24 ÷ 12)x(3 – 2)z]
= 12x2(y – 2xz)
Since y – 2z is already prime, the polynomial y – 2z is called a proper factor of 12x2y –
24x z. The prime factors of 12x2y – 24x3z and therefore 12x2 and (y – 2xz).
3
8
3. 5y5z6 and 10y4z5
5y5z6 = 5·y·y·y·y·y·z·z·z·z·z·z
10y4z5 = 2·5·y·y·y·y·z·z·z·z·z
GCF = 5y4z5
4. 36x5 and 24x2
36x5 = 2·2·3·3·x·x·x·x·x
24x2 = 2·2·2·3·x·x
GCF = 12x2
5. 40y9 and 30y6
40y9 = 2·2·2·5·y·y·y·y·y·y·y·y·y
30y6 = 2·3·5·y·y·y·y·y·y
GCF = 10y6
9
Let’s Remember
♦ Special products are very useful in finding the product of two polynomial factors.
♦ The following are some of the kinds of special products:
4. ( )
Difference of two cubes: ( x − a ) x 2 + ax + a 2 = x 3 − a 3
10
LESSON 2
In Lesson 1, you learned how to multiply polynomials using special products. You also
learned the difference between prime and composite numbers as well as how to find the greatest
common factor of given numbers or expressions. In this lesson, you will learn how to factor out
special products. You will also learn how to factor out polynomials using various methods of
factoring.
Let’s Learn
In Lesson 1, we used special products to find the products of given expressions. In this
lesson, we will use special products to find the factors of a given product.
1. Factoring out a polynomial which is a difference of two squares
x2 – a2 = (x + a)(x – a)
EXAMPLE Factor out 2x3 – 8xy2.
STEP 1 Get the GCF of the term in the expression. Take out the GCF as in:
2x3 – 8xy2 = 2x(x2 – 4y2)
STEP 2 Factor out x2 – 4y2 which is a difference of two squares as in:
x2 – 4y2 = (x + 2y)(x – 2y)
The proper factors of 2x3 – 8xy2 are 2x, (x + 2y) and (x – 2y).
When factoring using special products, the steps given above are always
followed. But make sure that you already singled out the GCF before actually using
special products.
2. Factoring a perfect square trinomial
x2 + 2ax + a2 = (x + a)2
x2 – 2ax + a2 = (x – a)2
Examples:
♦ 4x2 + 16x + 16 = (2x)2 + 2(4)(2x) + 42
= (2x + 4)2
♦ 25x2 – 30x + 9 = (5x)2 – 2(3)(5x) + 32
= (5x – 3)2
♦ 18x2z + 12xz + 2z = 2z(9x2 + 6x + 1)
= 2z[(3x)2 + 2(3x) + 1]
= 2z(3x + 1)2
11
3. Factoring a sum of two cubes
x3 + a3 = (x + a)(x2 – ax + a2)
Examples:
♦ x3 + 8 = (x + 2)(x2 – 2x + 22)
= (x + 2)(x2 – 2x + 4)
♦ 8x3 + 64 = 8(x3 + 8)
= 8(x + 2)(x2 – 2x + 4)
4. Factoring a difference of two cubes
(x – a)(x2 + ax + a2) = x3 – a3
Examples:
♦ x3 – 27 = x3 – 33
= (x – 3)(x2 + 3x + 32)
= (x – 3)(x2 + 3x + 9)
♦ 125x3 – 9 = (5x)3 – 33
= (5x – 3)[(5x)2 + 5(3x) + 32]
= (5x – 3)(25x2 + 15x + 9)
12
Let’s Learn
13
15 x 8 1x 1
+ +
a b c d
15
Let’s See What You Have Learned
2. 23
3. 18
4. 11
5. 12
C. Find the prime factors of the following numbers.
1. 24
2. 36
3. 50
D. Find the GCF of the following pairs of polynomials.
1. 12x2y and 4y2x
2. 51x3y2 and 17xy
3. 36x4y2 and 24x2y
E. Find the prime factors of the following expressions.
1. 3x3 – 24
2. 27x3 + 64
3. 2x2 + 16x + 30
4. 10x2 – 25x – 15
5. 6x2 – 19x + 10
16
F. Solve the following word problems.
1. A carpenter built a rectangular table with an area of x2 – 9 m2. What expressions
represent the table’s length and width?
2. The carpenter also built a square table with an area of x2 + 10x + 25 m2. What
expression represents the length of one side of the table?
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on pages 22 to 24.
Let’s Remember
Let’s Sum Up
17
4. Difference of two cubes: (x − a )(x 2 + ax + a 2 ) = x 3 − a 3
5. Trinomials which are
not perfect squares: (ax + b )(cx + d ) = acx 2 + (ad + bc )x + bd
♦ Special products are also used in factoring out polynomials.
♦ Factoring is the process of getting the polynomial factors of a given product.
A. Write P in the box if the number is prime and C if it is composite. In the blank, write the
prime factors of the number.
1. 50 ____________
2. 49 ____________
3. 67 ____________
4. 53 ____________
5. 37 ____________
B. Find the GCF of the following pairs of expressions.
1. 51x3z and 17x6y7
2. 100x8y3z and 70x5y3z
C. Find the prime factors of the following expressions.
1. 2x2 – 32
2. 3x2 + 36x + 108
3. 108x3 + 4
4. 15x2 + 5x – 20
5. 140x2 – 49x – 42
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 24.
18
Answer Key
B. Lesson 1
Let’s See What You Have Learned (page 9)
A. 1. (x + 4)(x – 4) = x2 – 42
= x2 – 16
2. (2x + 5)(2x – 5) = (2x)2 – 52
= 4x2 – 25
19
3. (3z + 2)2 = (3z)2 + 2(2)(3z) + 22
= 9z2 + 12z + 4
4. (x – 2)2 = x2 – 2(2)x + 22
= x2 – 4x + 4
5. (z + 2)(z2 – 2z + 4) = (z + 2)(z2 – 2z + 22)
= z3 + 23
= z3 + 8
6. (2y + 3)(4y2 – 6y + 9) = (2y + 3)[(2y)2 – 3(2y) + 32]
= (2y)3 – 33
= 8y3 – 27
7. (x – 2)(x2 + 2x + 4) = (x – 2)(x2 + 2x + 22)
= x3 – 23
= x3 – 8
8. (3y – 2)(9y2 + 6y + 4) = (3y – 2)[(3y)2 + 2(3y) + 22]
= (3y)3 – 23
= 9y3 – 8
9. (2x + 1)(x – 3) = 2(1)x2 + [2(–3) + 1(1)]x + 1(–3)
= 2x2 + (–6 + 1)x + (–3)
= 2x2 – 5x – 3
10. (6x + 2)(7x + 5) = 6(7)x2 + [6(5) + 2(7)]x + 2(5)
= 42x2 + (30 + 14)x + 10
= 42x2 + 44x + 10
B. 1. –4x2y3 and 4xy
–4x2y3 = –1·2·2·x·x·y·y·y
4xy = 2·2·x·y
GCF = 4xy
2. 28x4y6 and 16x3y5
28x4y6 = 7·2·2·x·x·x·x·y·y·y·y·y·y
16x3y5 = 2·2·2·2·x·x·x·y·y·y·y·y
GCF = 4x3y5
C. 1. –49z4 – 35z6
–49z4 = –1·7·7·z·z·z·z
–35z6 = –1·5·7·z·z·z·z·z·z
GCF = –7z4
− 49 z 4 − 35 z 6
− 49 z − 35 z = −7 z
4 6 4
+
4
4
− 7 z − 7 z
(
= −7 z 4 7 + 5 z 2 )
20
2. 20x4y6 – 25x6y4
20x4y6 = 2·2·5·x·x·x·x·y·y·y·y·y·y
–25x6y4 = –1·5·5·x·x·x·x·x·x·y·y·y·y
GCF = 5x4y4
20 x 4 y 6 25 x 6 y 4
20 x 4 y 6 − 25 x 6 y 4 = 5 x 4 y 4 4 4 + 4 4
5 x y 5 x y
4 4
(
= 5x y 4 y − 5x 2
)2
5. –17x6y8 + 21x6y8
–17x6y8 = –1·17·x·x·x·x·x·x·y·y·y·y·y·y·y·y
21x6y8 = 3·7·x·x·x·x·x·x·y·y·y·y·y·y·y·y
GCF = x6y8
− 17 x 6 y 8 21x 6 y 8
− 17 x 6 y 8 + 21x 6 y 8 = x 6 y 8 6 8
+ 6 8
x y x y
= x 6 y 8 (− 17 + 21)
= x 6 y 8 (4 )
= 4x6 y8
C. Lesson 2
Let’s Review (page 15)
A. 1. (x + 3)(x – 3) = x2 – 32
= x2 – 9
2. (3x + 2)2 = (3x)2 + 2(3x) + 22
= 9x2 + 6x + 4
3. (4y – 2)(16y2 + 8y + 4) = (4y – 2)[(4y)2 + 2(4y) + 22]
= (4y)3 – 23
= 64y3 – 8
4. (2z + 3)(4z2 – 6z + 9) = (2z + 3)[(2z)2 – 3(2z) + 32]
= (2z)3 + 33
= 8z3 + 27
5. (2y + 5)(5y + 3) = 2(5)y2 + [2(3) + 5(5)]y + 5(3)
= 10y2 + 31y + 15
B. 1. C
2. C
3. P
4. C
5. C
21
C. 1. 100 = 2 · 2 · 5 · 5
2. 75 = 3 · 5 ·5
3. 39 = 1 · 39
D. 1. 16x2 = 2·2·2·2·x·x
4x2y = 2·2·x·x·y
GCF = 4x2y
2. 27x4y5 = 3·3·3·x·x·x·x·y·y·y·y·y
9x3y2 = 3·3·x·x·x·y·y
GCF = 9x3y2
3. 100x5y6 = 2·2·5·5·x·x·x·x·x·y·y·y·y·y·y
50x3y3 = 2·5·5·x·x·x·y·y·y
GCF = 50x3y3
E. 1. 3x2 – 12 = 3(x2 – 4)
= 3(x – 2)(x + 2)
2. 2x2 – 12x – 18 = 2(x2 – 6x – 9)
= 2[x2 – 2(3)x – 32]
= 2(x – 3)2
3. 3x2 + 30x + 75 = 3(x2 + 10x + 25)
= 3[x2 + 2(5)x + 52]
= 3(x + 5)2
4. 2x3 + 2 = 2(x3 + 1)
= 2(x + 1)(x2 – x + 1)
5. 4x3 – 32 = 4(x3 – 8)
= 4(x – 2)(x2 + 2x + 4)
6. 6x2 + 19x + 15 = (2x +3)(3x + 5)
7. 2x2 + 4x – 48 = 2(x2 + 2x – 24)
= 2(x + 6)(x – 4)
Let’s See What You Have Learned (pages 16–17)
A. 1. (x + 4)(x – 4) = x2 – 16
2. (2x – 1)2 = (2x)2 – 2(1)(2x) + 12
= 4x2 – 4x + 1
3. (x + 1)(x2 – x + 1) = x3 – 13
= x3 – 1
4. (2z – 5)(4z2 + 10z + 25) = (2z – 5)[(2z)2 + 5(2z) + 52]
= (2z)3 – 53
= 8z3 – 125
5. (5y + 7)(6y – 5) = 5(6)y2 + [5(–5) + 7(6)]y + 7(–5)
= 30y2 + 17y – 35
22
B. 1. 8 17 = 17 · 1
2. 8 23 = 23 · 1
3. 4 18 = 3 · 3 · 2
4. 8 11 = 11 · 1
5. 4 12 = 2 · 2 · 3
C. 1. 24 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3
2. 36 = 2 · 2 · 3 · 3
3. 50 = 2 · 5 · 5
D. 1. 12x2y and 4y2x
12x2y = 2·2·3·x·x·y
4y2x = 2·2·x·y·y
GCF = 4xy
2. 51x3y2 and 17xy
51x3y2 = 17·3·x·x·x·y·y
17xy = 17·1·x·y
GCF = 17xy
3. 36x4y2 and 24x2y
36x4y2 = 2·2·3·3·x·x·x·x·y·y
24x2y = 2·2·2·3·x·x·y
GCF = 12x2y
E. 1. 3x3 – 24 = 3(x3 – 8)
= 3(x3 – 23)
= 3(x – 2)(x2 + 2x + 4)
2. 27x3 + 64 = (3x)3 + 43
= (3x + 4)[(3x)2 – 4(3x) + 42]
= (3x + 4)(9x2 – 12x + 16)
3. 2x2 + 16x + 30 = 2(x2 + 8x + 15)
= 2(x + 3)(x + 5)
4. 10x2 – 25x – 15 = 5(2x2 – 5x – 3)
= 5(2x + 1)(x – 3)
5. 6x2 – 19x + 10 = (3x – 2)(2x – 5)
23
F. 1. x2 – 9 = (x + 3)(x – 3)
The expressions that represent the length and width of the rectangular table
are (x + 3) and (x –3) meters.
2. x2 + 10x + 25 = x2 + 2(5)x + 52
= (x + 5)2
The expression that represents one side of the square table is (x + 5) meters.
24
References
The Math Forum. (2001). Math Forum Internet Mathematics Library. http://forum.
swathmore.edu/library/topics/polynomials/. June 16, 2001, date accessed.
The Math Forum. (2001). The Math Forum Ask Dr. Math: Questions and Answers
From Our Archives. http://forum.swathmore.edu/dr.math/locs/polynomial.high.html.
June 16, 2001, date accessed.
Network Solutions, Inc. (2001). The Mental Edge. http://www.learningshortcuts.com/sd 2/
01/chapter A. June 16, 2001, date accessed.
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