Chapter 1.

Factoring polynomials
Factoring - is the reverse process of multiplication.
- The process of determining the factors of constants, variables, or combination of
constants and variables.
Factors - terms that when multiplied will result to the given expression.

Ex.
1. Factors of 10
2(5) (-2) (-5)
1(10) (-1) (-10)

2. Factors of 10x
(10) (x) (5x) (2) (-10) (-x) (-2x) (-5)
(5) (2x) (10x) (1) (-5x)(-2) (-10x) (-1)

All listed pairs of terms above are called factors. Because when you multiply them to each other the
result would be 10x.

Prime Factorization – is the process of finding the prime factors of a given expression.
Prime Factors – are factors that are prime numbers.
Prime Numbers –are numbers greater than 1 which only have two factors: 1 and itself. (e.g.
2,3,5,7,11,13,19,23,29,31, 37,…)

Examples of prime factorization:

1. What are the prime factors of 10?

Prime factors of 10 are (2) (5)

2. What are the prime factors of 70?

Prime factors of 70 are (2) (5) (7)

Common Monomial Factoring – reverse of multiplying a polynomial by a monomial.

When you factor, you need to look for the greatest common factor (GCF).

There are many ways to determine the greatest common factor of numbers. Two of the most
common ways of finding the greatest common factor are listing and continuous division methods.

Example 1.1 Determine the greatest common factor of the numbers 20,24, and 56 using listing
method and continuous division method.

a. Listing method: This method is used by listing all factors of the given numbers. Afterwards, all
common factors are compared to determine the greatest common factor.

20= 1,2,4,5,10,20 Based on the listed factors on the left, you can
24= 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,24 see that the numbers 1,2, and 4 are the
56= 1,2,4,7, 8,14,28,56 common factors among the three given
numbers. Since we are looking for the greatest
Mary Conn P. Castro, LPT
Subject Teacher
 common factor, basically pick the greatest.
Thus, the GCF is 4.

b. Continuous division: To determine the GCF using continuous division, list the given numbers on the
horizontal line and divide them with their common factor (not necessarily the greatest).
Write the common factor on the left side and the corresponding quotients directly under the
numbers in the next row. This process will continue until all remaining numbers are relatively prime.

20 2 24 56
10 2 12 28
5 6 14
All common factors used to divide the numbers will be then multiplied to determine the
greatest factor. Thus, the greatest common factor is 2 x 2=4

Example 1.2. Determine the greatest common monomial factor of 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 𝑧 3 , 𝑥 4 𝑦 5 𝑧, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧 2 .

Solution: For problems involving variables, it would be helpful if the given will be expressed as
products of their prime factors.
a. listing method
𝑥 3𝑦2𝑧3 = 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑧 ∙ 𝑧 ∙ 𝑧
𝑥 4𝑦5𝑧 = 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑧
𝑥 2𝑦2𝑧2 = 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑧 ∙ 𝑧

All the three monomials have common factors of 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑧 whose product is 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧.

Therefore, the GCF is 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧.
b. continuous division method
𝑥2 𝑥 3𝑦2𝑧3 𝑥 4𝑦5𝑧 𝑥 2𝑦2𝑧2
2
𝑦 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 3 𝑥 2 𝑦 5 𝑧 𝑦 2 𝑧 2
𝑧 𝑥𝑧 2 𝑥 2𝑦3 𝑧

Try this! Determine the greatest common monomial factor of 12𝑎2 𝑏3 𝑐 5 , 24𝑎𝑏4 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 18𝑎4 𝑏4 𝑐 2 .

Lesson 1.1. Factoring polynomials with Greatest Common Monomial Factor (GCMF):
Example1.1 Factor 2𝑥 + 10

a. Determine the GCMF:

2𝑥 ∶ 2 ∙ 𝑥
10 ∶ 2 ∙ 5
2

GCMF = 2
b. Divide the polynomial by the GCMF:
(2𝑥 + 10) ÷ 2
2𝑥 ÷ 2 = 𝑥
10 ÷ 2 = 5

Quotient: (𝑥 + 5)

Therefore, the factored form of 2𝑥 + 10 is 2(𝑥 + 5).

To check whether the answer is correct, just multiply the factored form (specifically distributive
property of multiplication). The result should be the original polynomial which is 2𝑥 + 10.

Example1.2 Factor 18𝑥 8 − 9𝑥 7 𝑦 4 + 27𝑦 9 . Use both methods.

Listing Method:
18𝑥 4 : 2 ∙ 3 ∙ 3 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥
9𝑥 7 𝑦 4 : 3 ∙ 3 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦
27𝑦 9 : 3 ∙ 3 ∙ 3 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑦
3∙3=9
Mary Conn P. Castro, LPT
Subject Teacher
 The GCMF of the polynomial is 9. You may now divide the terms by 9.
18𝑥 4 ÷ 9 = 2𝑥 4
9𝑥 7 𝑦 4 ÷ 9 = 𝑥 7 𝑦 4
27𝑦 9 ÷ 9 = 3𝑦 9

Then the final answer is: 9(2𝑥 8 − 𝑥 7 𝑦 4 + 3𝑦 9 ) or obviously speaking, based from your solution/list
above, take 9 out of the parenthesis, then copy what’s left and their original signs thus, it is
2𝑥 8 − 𝑥 7 𝑦 4 + 3𝑦 9 .

Continuous division method:

3 18𝑥 8 − 9𝑥 7 𝑦 4 + 27𝑦 9
3 6𝑥 8 − 3𝑥 7 𝑦 4 + 9𝑦 9
2𝑥 8 − 𝑥 7 𝑦 4 + 3𝑦 9

Then, Multiply the numbers outside the line and that is 3 ∙ 3 = 9 then just copy what’s left
above that is 2𝑥 8 − 𝑥 7 𝑦 4 + 3𝑦 9 then write your final answer like this: 9(2𝑥 8 − 𝑥 7 𝑦 4 + 3𝑦 9 )

TRY THIS: Use listing and continuous division method.

1. 𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 2. 4𝑎2 − 25𝑎𝑏2 3. 15𝑥 3 𝑦 − 10𝑥 2 𝑦 2 4. 6𝑥 3 𝑦 2 − 10𝑥𝑦 3 + 18𝑥 2 𝑦

Example1.3 A rectangular lot has an area of (8𝑝5 + 12𝑝4 + 4𝑝3 ) square meters. The length of the
rectangular lot is equal to the greatest common monomial factor of the polynomial area. What are
the dimensions of the rectangle?

Given: 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 8𝑝5 + 12𝑝4 + 4𝑝3 square meters

Unknown: length =?
width =?
Solution: you can use any of the two methods.

2 8𝑝5 − 12𝑝4 + 4𝑝3

2 4𝑝5 − 6𝑝4 + 2𝑝3
𝑝3 2𝑝5 − 3𝑝4 + 𝑝3
2𝑝2 − 3𝑝 + 1
Answer: GCMF is 2 ∙ 2 ∙ 𝑝3 = 4𝑝3 ; 4𝑝3 (2𝑝2 − 3𝑝 + 1)
Conclusion: Since the problem stated that the GCMF would be the length of the rectangular
lot then; 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 4𝑝3 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 and 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ = 2𝑝2 − 3𝑝 + 1 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 . Therefore, the dimensions of the
rectangle are 4𝑝3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2𝑝2 − 3𝑝 + 1 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠.

Lesson 1.2: Factoring by grouping

In this lesson you will learn how to factor polynomials that has 4 or more terms.

To factor polynomials by grouping, follow the steps below:

1. Rearrange the terms so that the first two terms have a common factor and the second two terms
have a common factor.
2. Apply common monomial factoring to the terms enclosed with parentheses
3. If the two parentheses have a common factor, write the expression as a product of this common
factor and the remaining factor.

Example 1.4 Factor 4𝑥𝑧 − 4𝑦𝑧 − 𝑥 + 𝑦

4𝑥𝑧 − 4𝑦𝑧 − 𝑥 + 𝑦 = (4𝑥𝑧 − 4𝑦𝑧) − (𝑥 + 𝑦)
= 4𝑧(𝑥 − 𝑦) − 1(𝑥 − 𝑦)
= (𝑥 − 𝑦)(4𝑧 − 1)
Example 1.5 Factor 3𝑥𝑦 − 𝑧𝑤 + 3𝑥𝑤 − 𝑦𝑧
3𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑤 − 𝑦𝑧 − 𝑧𝑤 = (3𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑤) − (𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑤)
= 3𝑥(𝑦 + 𝑤) − 𝑧(𝑦 + 𝑤)
= (𝑦 + 𝑤)(3𝑤 − 𝑧)

Mary Conn P. Castro, LPT

Subject Teacher
Lesson 1.3: Factoring difference of two squares and sum and difference of two cubes

Factoring difference of two squares

A polynomial is a difference of two squares if it satisfies these conditions:
i) it is a binomial and each term is a perfect square.
ii) the operation between the two terms is subtraction.
Basically in the form:
𝑎2 − 𝑏2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏)

To factor a difference of two squares, write the product of the sum or the difference of the two
quantities being squared.

Example 1.6 Factor 𝑥 2 − 9.

√𝑥 2 = 𝑥 Since 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 = 𝑥 2
√9 = 3 Since 3 ∙ 3 = 9

Substitute to the form above, then we have: 𝑥 2 − 9 = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3).

Example 1.7 Factor 𝑤 2 − 16𝑞.

√𝑤 2 = 𝑤 Since 𝑤 ∙ 𝑤 = 𝑤 2
√16𝑞2 = 4𝑞 Since 4𝑞 ∙ 4𝑞 = 16𝑞2

Thus, the factors are (𝑤 + 4𝑞)(𝑤 − 4𝑞).

Example 1.8 Factor 5𝑎2 − 45.

As you have noticed, both of the terms are not perfect squares. However, they have a
common monomial factor which is 5. By factoring out 5, you’ll have a polynomial that is a difference
of two squares.
5𝑎2 − 45 = 5(𝑎2 − 9)
= 5(𝑎 + 3)(𝑎 − 3)
Example 1.9 Factor 81 − 4𝑝6 𝑞4

81 − 4𝑝6 𝑞4 = 92 − (2𝑝3 𝑞2 )2
= (9 + 2𝑝3 𝑞2 )(9 − 2𝑝3 𝑞2 )
TRY THIS:
36 1
1. 81𝑎6 𝑏4 − 25𝑐 8 2. 49 𝑎6 − 9 3. 100𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − (3𝑧 + 2)2 4. (7𝑧 3 − 𝑥𝑦)4 − 9

Factoring sum or difference of two cubes

 it is a product of a binomial and a trinomial;
 the terms of the binomial factor are the cube roots of the terms in the given polynomial
to be factored;
 the operation used in the binomial factor is similar to the given polynomial to be
factored;
 the first and last terms of the trinomial factor are the squares of the terms in the
binomial factor; and
 the middle term of the trinomial factor is the product of the terms in the binomial
factor. However, it follows the opposite sign of the given polynomial to be factored.
𝑎3 + 𝑏3 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )
𝑎3 − 𝑏3 = (𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )

Example 1.10 Factor 𝑥 3 − 27.

𝑥 3 − 27 = (𝑥)3 − 33
= (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 9)
Example 1.11 Factor 𝑚3 − 8.
𝑚3 − 8 = (𝑚)3 − (2)3
= (𝑚 − 2)(𝑚 + 2𝑚 + 4)

Mary Conn P. Castro, LPT

Subject Teacher
 1
Example 1.12 Factor 64 𝑎6 + 𝑏3 .
1 6 1 3
𝑎 + 𝑏3 = (4 𝑎2 ) +(𝑏)3
64
1 1 1
= (4 𝑎2 + 𝑏) (16 𝑎4 − 4 𝑎2 𝑏 + 𝑏2 )

Lesson 1.3 Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials and General Quadratic Trinomials

Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials

Recall that the square of a binomial gives a perfect square trinomial.
(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2
(𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2

So, in factoring a perfect square trinomial the form would be:

𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)2
𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 = (𝑎 − 𝑏)2
Perfect Square- the product of a polynomial / number multiplied by itself.

When to know if a trinomial is a perfect square?

1. If the first and the last terms are perfect squares, and both are positive.
2. If the middle term is twice the product of the quantities that were squared.
Note: In factoring perfect square trinomials, you may get the square root of the first and last term
then substitute it to the pattern above.

Example 1.13
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 - the first term 𝑥 2 is a perfect square term
- the last term 9 is a perfect square number/term
- since the middle term, is twice the product of the quantities that
𝑥 𝑥 3 3 were squared,2𝑎𝑏 so just substitute the factors of the first term and
the last term then we have, 2(𝑥)(3) = 6𝑥, we got the middle term right. Thus, the trinomial is a perfect
square.

Thus, the factors of 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 is (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 3) 𝑜𝑟 (𝑥 + 3)2 . Note, since the definition of a “perfect
square” is a number or term multiplied to itself then we could write (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 3) as (𝑥 + 3)2 based
from the pattern 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 .

Example 1.14
4𝑥 2 + 36𝑥 + 81
- the first term 4𝑥 2 is a perfect square
- the last term 81 is a perfect number/term
2𝑥 2𝑥 9 9
Thus, the factors of 4𝑥 2 + 36𝑥 + 81 is (2𝑥 + 9)(2𝑥 + 9) or (2𝑥 + 9)2 .

Example 1.15
2𝑚3 + 28𝑚2 + 98𝑚 - as you have noticed, the trinomial is not a perfect square.
However, all the terms have a GCMF. Now, if you are going to extract the
common factor it will result to a perfect square trinomial.
2𝑚(𝑚2 + 14𝑚 + 49) - factoring is not yet done as you still have a perfect square
trinomial. Just get the square root of the first and last term.
2
√𝑚 = 𝑚 , √49 = 7 - then write the terms based on the pattern.
(𝑚 + 7) 2 - but of course don’t forget your final answer.
2𝑚 (𝑚 + 7)2

TRY THIS: Determine whether these are perfect square trinomials. If yes, factor the trinomial.
1. 𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 1 2. 4𝑚2 + 12𝑚 + 36 3. 𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 144 4. 4𝑝3 − 24𝑝2 + 36𝑝

Factoring General Quadratic Trinomials in the form 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 where 𝒂 = 𝟏

Not all quadratic trinomials are perfect squares. Thus, it is important to know on how to factor
it. These polynomials are called General Quadratic Trinomials in the form ax 2 + bx + c where a = 1.

Mary Conn P. Castro, LPT

Subject Teacher
Steps in factoring a quadratic trinomial in the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 where 𝑎 = 1
a. Factor the first term of the trinomial.
b. Determine the factors of the last term of the trinomial such that the sum of the factors is equal to
the numerical coefficient of the middle term.
c. Write the factors as two binomials.

Example 1.16 𝑦 2 + 5𝑦 + 6
a. Factor the first term : 𝑦 2 = (𝑦)(𝑦)
b. Determine the factors of 6 (the last term) such that their sum is the numerical coefficient of
the middle term which is 5.
factors of the last term (6) Sum of the factors
1 and 6 =7
(-1) and (-6) = -7
2 and 3 =5
(-2) and (-3) = -5
Based on the factors, we should get (2)(3) = 6 because their sum is 5 (the numerical
coefficient of the middle term) .
c. Write the factors as two binomials, we get:
(𝑦 + 2)(𝑦 + 3)

Therefore, the factored form of 𝑦 2 + 5𝑦 + 6 is (𝑦 + 2)(𝑦 + 3).

Example 1.17 ℎ2 − 6ℎ − 16
a. Factor the first term ℎ2 = (ℎ)(ℎ)
b. Determine the factors of -16 such that their sum is -6
factors of the last term (-16) Sum of the factors
1 and (-16) = -15
(-1)and 16 = 15
8 and (-2) =6
(-8) and 2 = -6
4 and (-4) =0
Based on the factors, we should get (−8)(2) = −16 because their sum is -6
c. Write the factors as two binomials:
(ℎ − 8)(ℎ + 2)

Therefore, the factored form of ℎ2 − 6ℎ − 16 is (ℎ − 8)(ℎ + 2) or (ℎ + 2)(ℎ − 8).

To check, apply FOIL method or basically just multiply the factors:
(ℎ − 8)(ℎ + 2)= ℎ2 + 2ℎ − 8ℎ − 16
ℎ2 − 6ℎ − 16
Since we got the original trinomial when we multiplied the factors, therefore we have the right or
correct factors.

Example 1.18 𝑘 2 + 2𝑘 − 24
This example is a little bit tricky because you need to find factors of -24 that if added together
the sum would be 2. If you are not yet familiar with the factors you can list it down.
Factors of the last term (-24) Sum of the factors
(-24) and 1 -23
24 and (-1) 23
8 and (-3) 5
(-8) and 3 -5
6 and (-4) 2
(-6) and 4 -2
Based on the factors, we will get 6 and (-4) since their sum is 2 which is the numerical
coefficient of the middle term. Thus the factored form is (𝑘 − 4)(𝑘 + 6)𝑜𝑟 (𝑘 + 6)(𝑘 − 4)
Try these:
1. 𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 27 2. 𝑤 2 − 20𝑤 + 91 3. 𝑗 2 + 10𝑗 + 24 4. 𝑢2 − 8𝑢 − 48

Factoring Quadratic Trinomial in the form 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 where 𝒂 > 𝟏

Mary Conn P. Castro, LPT

Subject Teacher
Steps in factoring a quadratic trinomial in the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 where 𝑎 > 1
a. Finds the product of the first and last terms.
b. Determine the factors of the product such that the sum is equal to the middle term of the trinomial.
c. Rewrite the trinomial as a four-term expression by replacing the middle term with the sum of the
factors.
d. group terms with common factors.
e. factor groups using the greatest common monomial factor.
f. factor out the common binomial factor and write the remaining factor as sum or difference of the
common monomial factors.

Example 1.19 2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 3
a. Find the product of the first and last terms
(2𝑥 2 )(3) = 6𝑥 2
b. determine the factors of 6𝑥 2 whose sum is 7𝑥

factors of 6𝑥 2 Sum of the factors

6x x = 7x
-6x -x = -7x
3x 2x = 5x
-3x -2x = -5x

Factors are 6𝑥 2 = (6𝑥)(𝑥) since 6𝑥 + 𝑥 = 7𝑥

c. Rewrite the four-term expression by replacing the middle term with the sum of factors.
2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 3 2𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 𝑥 + 3
 Instead of the middle term 7x, change
it already to 6x+x based on the second
Use already 2𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 𝑥 + 3 on the next step. step.

d. group the terms with common factors

2𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 𝑥 + 3 (2𝑥 2 + 6𝑥) + (𝑥 + 3)

e. factor the groups using the greatest common monomial factor

2𝑥(𝑥 + 3) + 1(𝑥 + 3)

f. factor out the common binomial factor and write the remaining factor
(𝑥 + 3)(2𝑥 + 1)

Therefore, the factored form of 2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 3 is (𝑥 + 3)(2𝑥 + 1).

To check the answer, use FOIL method. The result must be the same with the given trinomial being
factored.
(𝑥 + 3)(2𝑥 + 1) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 3
= 2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 3

Try these:

1. 6𝑥 2 + 13𝑥 − 5 2. 4𝑥 2 + 16𝑥 + 7 3. 8𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 − 6

Mary Conn P. Castro, LPT

Subject Teacher