WEEK 4 MODULE

COLLEGE ALGEBRA

Lesson 4: Factoring Formulas Time: 3 hours

About the Lesson: This lesson will give the learners an idea about the different factoring
formulas of polynomials such as greatest common factor, difference of two squares, perfect
square, sum of squares, sum of two cubes and factoring by grouping.

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Perform the factoring formulas such as:
 Greatest Common Factor
 Perfect Square Trinomial
 Factoring by grouping
 Special product Formulas

Learning Resources

A. References
College Algebra – Fifth Edition by Mark Dugopolski
B. Other Online Learning Resources
https://www.skillscommons.org/bitstream/handle/taaccct/14259/STLCC_Portal_ALA_El
ementaryAlg_Module6_Workbook_Factoring.pdf?sequence=92&isAllowed=y
http://www.wallace.ccfaculty.org/book/6.5%20Factor%20Special%20Products.pdf
https://www.mcckc.edu/tutoring/docs/br/math/factoring/Factoring_Polynomials.pdf

Lesson Proper:
 Lesson 4: Factoring Formulas

When factoring there are a few special products that, if we can recognize them, can help
us factor polynomials. It is very important not to confuse the meanings of “expanding” and
“factoring”. These two are exactly the opposite procedures of each other. Expanding literally
means “multiplying out” while factoring means writing the given expression as a product of
algebraic expressions.
 FACTORING
- The process of expressing a given number in terms of prime factors.
- The reverse of multiplying. To factor an expression means to write and equivalent
expression that is a product of two or more expression.
 Factoring by GREATEST COMMON FACTOR
Factoring out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is perhaps the most used type of
factoring because it occurs as part of the process of factoring other types of products.

 To factor out common factor, divide each term of the polynomials by the
product of the greatest common factor.
Common Factor – a factor contained in every term of an algebraic expression
Greatest Common Factor – the highest factor which is common to all terms in an
algebraic expression.

To find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF):

a. Factor each completely; and
b. Multiply all common factors:
Examples:
Find the GCF, then factor:

1.
Solution:
Prime Factors of

Prime factors of

GCF

Factored 1st term divided 2nd term divided

Out GCF by GCF by GCF
2.

Solution:
Prime Factors of

Prime factors of

GCF

3.

Solution:
Prime Factors:
GCF