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FACTORING POLYNOMIALS
Factoring refers to the process of expressing an algebraic expression as a product of prime factors. A factor
is considered prime if it could no longer be expressed further as a product of simpler algebraic expressions, i.e.
its only factors are 1 and itself. An algebraic expression that is expressed as a product of irreducible factors is
factored completely.

Types of Factoring
1. Common Monomial Factor
ax + ay = a (x + y)
2. Difference of Two Squares
x2 y 2 = (x + y) (x y)
3. Perfect Square Trinomial
x2 + 2xy + y 2 = (x + y)2
x2 2xy + y 2 = (x y)2
4. Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
x3 + y 3 = (x + y) (x2 xy + y 2 )
x3 y 3 = (x y) (x2 + xy + y 2 )
5. Quadratic Trinomials
x2 + (a + b) x + ab = (x + a) (x + b)
acx2 + (ad + bc) x + bd = (ax + b) (cx + d)
6. Completing the Square
This technique is applicable to polynomials that may be converted to a perfect square trinomial upon addition
and then subtraction of a perfect square term.
7. Factoring by Grouping
This technique is applicable to polynomials that are longer or more complicated. The key lies in grouping
the terms in such a way that the groups have common factor. This may entail several trials before the desired
grouping is arrived at.

EXERCISES
1. 12xy 3 z 2 28y 3 z 20x2 y 2 z 2

9. x (x + 1) (4x 5) 6 (x + 1)

2. 4ab3 16a3 b

10. a2 ab + a b

3. 4 (x 1)2 9y 2

11. x2 + xy 2y 2 + 2x 2y

4. (2x y)3 8

12. 4x2 y 2 + 2yz z 2

5. (x + 3)3 + (y 1)3

13. 9x2 12xy + 4y 2 25z 2 + 10zw w2

6. 16a2 b4 + 40ab2 c + 25c2

14. x4 + 64

7. (2s 3t)2 8 (2s 3t) + 16

15. x4 11x2 + 1

8. 5x3 10x2 y 75xy 2

16. 16x4 24x2 y 2 + 25y 2

mong!