Mathematics 8 (Quarter 1)

Week: 1 Date: Aug. 24 - 28, 2020

Learning Competency & Code: Factors completely a common monomial factor and difference of
two squares. M8AL-Ia-b-1

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Lesson 1: Common Monomial Factor
(Source: Mathematics Learner’s Module in Grade 8; pp. 30 - 33)
Property 1 for exponents stated that am · an = am + n, where m and n are whole numbers and a is a
am
nonzero integer, similarly in finding the quotient we have thus; = am – n, that is if a is a nonzero
an
integer and m and n are whole numbers with m ≥ n.
Finding the common monomial factor in a polynomial means to choose the monomial with highest
degree and largest integer coefficient that will divide into each term of the polynomial. This referred to
as the GCF of the given polynomials (Greatest Common Factor). The monomial will be one factor and
the sum of the various quotients will be the other factor.
Now, if the forms of a polynomial have a common factor, the polynomial can be written as a
product. This is called factoring.
Example 1: Factor 12x3y5 – 20x5y2z
a. Find the greatest common factor of the numerical coefficients.
The GCF of 12 and 20 is 4.
b. Find the variable with the least exponent that appears in each term of the polynomial.
x and y are both common to all terms and 3 is the smallest exponent for x and 2 is the
smallest exponent of y, thus, x3y2 is the GCF of the variables.
c. The product of the greatest common factor in (a) and (b) is the GCF of the polynomial.
Hence, 4x3y2 is the GCF of 12x3y5 – 20x5y2z.
d. To completely factor the given polynomial, divide the polynomial by its GCF, the
resulting quotient is the other factor.
Thus, the factored form of 12x3y5 – 20x5y2z is 4x3y2 (3y3 – 5x2z)
Example 2: Factor 8x2 + 16x
a. 8x is the greatest monomial factor.
b. Divide the polynomial by 8x to get the other factor.
8 x2 +16 x
8x
8x (x + 2) is the factored form of 8x2 + 16x
Activity 1:
Directions: Factors completely the following polynomials
1. 16a6 – 24b2
2. 4r5 – 16r3 + 20r2
3. 12WI3N5 – 16WIN + 20WINNER
Challenge Question:
In the pandemic that we experiencing nowadays (COVID-19), it greatly affects the lives of many
people. In a certain locality, there were 4 persons under monitoring (PUM’s), 8 persons under
investigation (PUI’s) and 2 persons which were confirmed positive. In an equation, if we let 4m  the
number of PUM’s, then 8i  number of PUI, 2c  number of confirmed cases. Form them as a
polynomial and factors completely, following the pattern above.

Lesson 2: Factoring Difference of Two Squares

(Source: Mathematics Learner’s Module in Grade 8; pp. 33 - 34)
Take a look at this expression,
4x2 -16
The first step at factoring this is to make sure that the expression is a difference between
squares.

Questions Answers
Are there only two terms? Yes. The first term is 4x2; the second term is
-16
Are both coefficients (4 and 16) perfect squares? Yes. Notice 2 times 2 equals 4, and 4 times 4
equals 16
Are all of the variables in the expression raised to an Yes. There is only one variable x, and it has a
even (2,4,6,…) power? power of 2 which is even.
Does one term have a positive coefficient, and another Yes. The coefficient 4 is positive, and the
term has a negative coefficient? coefficient -16 is negative.

Because “Yes” was answered to each of the above questions, we can now tell that the expression
is a difference between two squares. Before going further let us also consider that the expression given
which is 4x2 – 16 can also be factored applying the process used in factoring the common monomial
factor. First, find the greatest common factor of the numerical coefficients. The GCF of 4 and 16 is 4.
Next, we are to find the variable with the least exponent that appears in each term of the
polynomials. In this case, only variable x2 is used in the given polynomial and present only in the
leading term 4x2, so there is no GCF for the variable used. In this case, the first factor of the polynomial
is only 4.
Now, divide the given polynomial by the first factor which is 4. The quotient will be the second
factor.
4 x 2−16
= x2 – 4  second factor
4
So, 4(x2 – 4) is the common monomial factored form of 4x2 – 16.
Notice that in the expression 4(x2 – 4), (x2 – 4) is a difference of two squares. So we will now
proceed with the process in factoring difference of two squares.
Write two sets of parentheses, and copy constant number 4 before the first parenthesis
4( )( )
Find the square root of the first term, x 2. Write the result x on the left inside of each set of
parentheses.
4(x )(x )
Find the square root of the second term, 4. Write the result, 2 on the right side of each set of
parentheses.
4(x 2)(x 2)
Write a plus (+) sign in the middle of the first set of parentheses and write a minus (-) sign in the
middle of the second set of parentheses.
4(x + 2)(x – 2)  factored form of 4x2 – 16, by difference of two squares

Example 2: Factor the expression -9 + j4

Unlike the first example, the first term is negative. To make factoring this expression easier,
simply switch the two terms so that the negative term is second. Again, the first step at factoring this
expression is to verify that the expression is a difference between two squares.

(j4 -9)

Questions
Are there only two terms?
Are both coefficients (9 and 1) perfect squares?
Are all of the variables in the expression (2, 4, 6…)
power?
Does one term have a positive coefficient and another
term has a negative coefficient?
Answers
Yes. The first term is -9; the second term is j 4.
Yes. Notice 3 times 3 equals 9 and 1 times 1 equals 1.
Yes. There is only one variable, j and it has a power of
4, which is even.
Yes. The coefficient is positive; the coefficient -9 is
negative.

Now, continue factoring as in the last example. Write two sets of open parentheses.
( )( )
Find the square root of the first term, j . Write the result, j2, on the left inside of each set of
4

parentheses.
(j2 )(j2 )
Find the square root of the second term., 9. Write the result, 3, on the right inside of each set of
parentheses.
(j2 3)(j2 3)
Now, write a plus sign in the middle of the first set of parentheses and write a minus sign in the
middle of the second set of parentheses.

(j2 + 3)(j2 -3)  factored form of j4 - 9

Activity 2:
Directions: Factor completely the following difference of two squares.
1. 4x2 – 36y2
2. (x – y)2 – 16.
3. 25a2 – 36b2
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