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NOTES FOR FACTORING OF POLYNOMIALS

The document provides an overview of polynomials and the process of factoring them into simpler components called factors. It outlines various techniques for factoring, including finding common monomial factors, factors of the difference of two squares, perfect square trinomials, and quadratic trinomials. Each technique is accompanied by examples and step-by-step instructions for effective factoring.

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MICHAEL JAY ANGCO
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6 views3 pages

NOTES FOR FACTORING OF POLYNOMIALS

The document provides an overview of polynomials and the process of factoring them into simpler components called factors. It outlines various techniques for factoring, including finding common monomial factors, factors of the difference of two squares, perfect square trinomials, and quadratic trinomials. Each technique is accompanied by examples and step-by-step instructions for effective factoring.

Uploaded by

MICHAEL JAY ANGCO
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NOTES FOR FACTORING OF POLYNOMIALS

Polynomials
 A polynomial is an algebraic expression that consists of variables, coefficients, and
exponents that are combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Example:
2
2 x +5 x−3

Factoring of Polynomials
- Factoring is the reverse process of multiplication of polynomial.
- It is about breaking down a polynomial into simpler components called “factors” that multiply
together to form the original expression

Example:
x +2 xy + y

If you are to factor out x +2 xy + y , you’ll get ¿ or (x + y )(x+ y). Multiplying the factors
together will give you back the original expression.

Note: When a number or polynomial is factored, it is written as a product of two or more irreducible
factors.

The Different Techniques to Factor a Polynomial

1. Common Monomial Factors


o This involves finding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) that is common to all
terms in the polynomial. If factored completely each of its factors can no longer
be expressed as a product of two other polynomials

Steps to Find the Common Monomial Factor


1. Find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms in the polynomial.
2. Divide each term by the GCF to get the other factor.

Example:
3 4 7
8 x −16 x + 48 x

Solution:

Step 1: Find the GCF

Factors of 8 x 3=1 ∙2 ∙ 4 ∙ 8 ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x
Factors of 16 x 4=1∙ 2∙ 4 ∙8 ∙ 16 ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x
Factors of 4 8 x7 =1∙ 2 ∙3 ∙ 4 ∙ 6 ∙ 8 ∙12 ∙16 ∙ 24 ∙ 48 ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x

GCF = 8 x 3
Step 2: Divide the GCF

8 x 3−16 x 4 + 48 x 7 =8 x3 ( 8 x 3−16 x 4 + 48 x 7 )
3 4
¿ 8 x (1−2 x+ 6 x )

Other Example:
1. 60 x 3 y 2 + 45 x 3 y 3−90 x y 4
2. 9 x 2+ 15 x

2. Factors of Difference of Two Squares


o Recall the following formula for the product of a sum and difference of two
terms.
( x + y ) ( x − y )=x 2− y 2

The product of x 2− y 2 is called a difference of two squares. Its factors are ( x + y )∧( x− y )
, where x is “a” and y is “b”.

Steps to Find the Difference of Two Squares


1. Factor out the common monomial factor.
2. Get the square root of the first term of the binomial.
3. Get the square root of the second term of the binomial.
4. Express the factors as a product of the sum and difference of the results in steps 1 and 2.

Example:
4 2
25 m – 81 n

Solution:
Step 1: Find GCF
No GCF found so skip step 1

Step 2: Get the square root of the first term


√ 25 m4=5 m2
Step 3: Get the square root of the second term
√ 81 n2=9 n
Step 4: Express the factors
( 5 m2 +9 n ) ( 5 m2−9 n )

Other Example:
1. 27 b 2−3 b c 2
2. 243 x 4−48 y 4
3. Factors of Perfect Square Trinomials
o Recall that the square of a binomial results in a perfect square trinomial (PST).
That is,
( x + y )2=x 2+ 2 xy + y 2 ∧¿
( x− y )2=x 2−2 xy + y 2

A trinomial is PST if the first and last terms are perfect squares and the middle term is
equal to twice the product of the square root of the first and the square root of the last
term.

Steps to Find the Perfect Square Trinomials


1. Get the square root of the first term.
2. Get the square root of the last term.
3. Express the result as the square of binomial.

Example:
2
x + 6 x+ 9
Step 1: Get the square root of the first term
√ x 2=x
Step 2: Get the square root of the second term
√ 9=3
Step 3: Express the result as the square of binomial
2 2
x + 6 x+ 9=( x +3 )

4. Factors of Quadratic Trinomials


5. Factors of Sum & Difference of Two Cubes

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