LESSON 3.

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

Competency : The learner solves quadratic equation by factoring method.

Factoring is the easiest method of solving a quadratic equation as long as the binomial or trinomial
is easily factorable. Otherwise, we will need other methods such as completing the square or using
the quadratic formula.

The diagram suggests the following key points:

• One side of the equation is just zero.

• The opposite side should contain the factors of the given
polynomial.
• After the two conditions stated above are met, then it is now
OKAY to set each factor equal to zero then solve for the
value of the unknown variable.

An equation that can be written in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 is called

a quadratic equation. You can solve a quadratic equation using the rules of algebra, applying
factoring techniques where necessary, and by using the Zero Product Property.

The Zero Product Property states that if the product of two numbers is 0, then at least one of the
factors is 0. That is:

If ab = 0, then either a = 0 or b = 0, or both a and b are 0.

This property may seem fairly obvious, but it has big implications for solving quadratic equations.
If you have a factored polynomial that is equal to 0, you know that at least one of the factors or
both factors equal 0.

So how do you know that a quadratic trinomial is factorable? A quadratic expression is factorable
if the discriminant, defined by b² – 4ac, is a perfect square, that is, the value of the discriminant
has a rational square root.

Let us take up the following examples. Determine whether the given expressions are factorable
or not.

1. x2 + 2x
2. x2 + 3x + 2
3. 2x2 + 3x + 2

Solution: Determine first the values of a, b and c, and substitute these values in the expression
b2 – 4ac.
1. x2 + 2x a = 1; b = 2; c = 0
b – 4ac = 2 – 4(1)(0) = 4 – 0 = 4
2 2

The discriminant 4 is a perfect square; hence, the quadratic expression is factorable.

2. x2 + 3x + 2 a = 1; b = 3; c = 2
b – 4ac = 3 – 4(1)(2) = 9 – 8 = 1
2 2

The discriminant 1 is a perfect square; hence, the quadratic expression is factorable.

3. 2x2 + 3x + 2 a = 2; b = 3; c = 2
b – 4ac = 3 – 4(2)(2) = 9 – 16 = –7
2 2
 LESSON 3. SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

The discriminant –7 is not a perfect square; hence, the quadratic expression is not
factorable.

Now, let us take up how to solve quadratic equations by factoring.

Condition 1: When a is equal to 1, or a = 1.
Standard Form: ax² + bx + c = 0

Example: x² – 10x + 16 = 0

If there is no number at the left side of x², it means that a = 1.

Example 1: Find the roots or solutions of the equation x² – 10x + 16 = 0.

Factor the value of c such that the sum of the factors is equal to b. What two numbers will give a
product of 16 and a sum of –10?

Pair of numbers with a Sum of the Two

product of 16 Numbers
1 and 16 17
8 and 2 10
–8 and –2 –10

The two numbers that will give a product of 16 and a sum of –10 are –8 and –2.

(x – 8) (x – 2) = 0 Write the factored form of the equation.

x – 8 = 0 and x – 2 = 0 Equate both factors to zero applying the Zero Product
Property.
x–8=0 x–2=0 Solve for x.
x=0+8 x=0+2
x=8 x=2

Therefore, the solutions are x = 8 and x = 2.

Now, let us check to see if our answer is correct. Substitute the value of x in the equation x² – 10x
+ 16 = 0 by 8 and 2.
1. if x = 8: 2. if x = 2:
x² – 10x + 16 = 0 x² – 10x + 16 = 0
8 – 10(8) + 16 = 0
2
2 – 10(2) + 16 = 0
2

64 – 80 + 16 = 0 4 – 20 + 16 = 0
80 – 80 = 0 20 – 20 = 0
0 = 0 0 = 0

Example 2. Find the roots or solutions of the equation x² + 5x – 14 = 0.

Factor the value of c such that the sum of the factors is equal to b. What two numbers will give a
product of –14 and a sum of 5?
Pair of numbers with a product Sum of the Two
of –14 Numbers
1 and –14 –13
–1 and 14 13
–7 and 2 –5
7 and –2 5
 LESSON 3. SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

The two numbers that will give a product of –14 and a sum of 5 are 7 and –2.

(x + 7) (x – 2) = 0 Write the factored form of the equation.

x + 7 = 0 and x – 2 = 0 Equate both factors to zero applying the Zero Product
Property.
x+7=0 x–2=0 Solve for x.
x=0–7 x=0+2
x = –7 x=2

Therefore, the solutions are x = –7 and x = 2.

Now, let us check to see if our answer is correct. Substitute the value of x in the equation x² + 5x
– 14 = 0 by –7 and 2.
1. if x = –7: 2. if x = 2:
x² + 5x – 14 = 0 x² + 5x – 14 = 0
(–7) + 5(–7) – 14 = 0
2
2 + 5(2) – 14 = 0
2

49 + (–35) – 14 = 0 4 + 10 – 14 = 0
14 – 14 = 0 14 – 14 = 0
0 = 0 0 = 0

Example 3. Find the roots or solutions of the equation x² + 3x – 10 = 0.

Factor the value of c such that the sum of the factors is equal to b. What two numbers will give a
product of –10 and a sum of 3?

Pair of numbers with a Sum of the Two

product of –10 Numbers
2 and –5 –3
–2 and 5 3
–1 and 10 9
1 and –10 –9

The two numbers that will give a product of –10 and a sum of 3 are –2 and 5.

(x – 2) (x + 5) = 0 Write the factored form of the equation.

x – 2 = 0 and x + 5 = 0 Equate both factors to zero applying the Zero Product
Property.
x–2=0 x+5=0 Solve for x.
x=0+2 x=0–5
x=2 x = –5

Therefore, the solutions are x = 2 and x = –5.

Now, let us check to see if our answer is correct. Substitute the value of x in the equation x² + 3x
– 10 = 0 by 2 and –5.
1. if x = 2: 2. if x = –5:
x² + 3x – 10 = 0 x² + 3x – 10 = 0
22 + 3(2) – 10 = 0 (–5)2 + 3(–5) – 10 = 0
4 + 6 – 10 = 0 25 + (–15) – 10 = 0
10 – 10 = 0 10 – 10 = 0
0 = 0 0 = 0
 LESSON 3. SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

Example 4. Find the roots or solutions of the equation (x + 4) (x – 3) = 0.

Now, since the given equation is already in factored form, we don’t need to find the factors of c
whose sum is b. We will proceed right away applying the Zero Product Property.

(x + 4) (x – 3) = 0 Write the factored form of the equation.

x + 4 = 0 and x – 3 = 0 Equate both factors to zero applying the Zero Product
Property.
x+4=0 x–3=0 Solve for x.
x=0–4 x=0+3
x = –4 x=3

Therefore, the solutions are x = –4 and x = 3.

Now, let us check to see if our answer is correct. Substitute the value of x in the equation (x + 4)
(x – 3) = 0 by –4 and 3.
1. if x = –4: 2. if x = 3:
(x + 4) (x – 3) = 0 (x + 4) (x – 3) = 0
(–4 + 4) (–4 – 3) = 0 (3 + 4) (3 – 3) = 0
0(–7) = 0 7(0) = 0
0 = 0 0 = 0

Example 5. The area of a rectangular garden is 30 square feet. If the length is 7 feet longer
than the width, find the dimensions.
length (l) = (w + 7)
Solution:
The area of a rectangle is length x width.
A = Ixw
width (w) 30 = (w + 7) (w)
30 = w2 + 7w
or w2 + 7w = 30 (applying reflexive property)
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/color-rectangular-maze-green-garden-cartoon-style-
game-kids-puzzle-children-labyrinth-conundrum-flat-vector-illustration-172261462.jpg

1. Rewrite the equation w2 + 7w = 30 in standard form aw2 + bw + c = 0. We will transpose 30 to

the left side of the equation. By doing so, the algebraic sign is reversed. So, the new equation
is w2 + 7w – 30 = 0.
2. Factor the value of c such that the sum of the factors is equal to b. What two numbers will give
a product of –30 and a sum of 7?

Pair of numbers with a Sum of the Two

product of –30 Numbers
1 and –30 –29
–1 and 30 29
–15 and 2 –13
15 and –2 13
10 and –3 7
–10 and 3 –7

The two numbers that will give a product of –30 and a sum of 7 are –10 and 3.
 LESSON 3. SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

(w – 10) (w + 3) = 0 Write the factored form of the equation.

w – 10 = 0 and w + 3 = 0 Equate both factors to zero applying the Zero Product
Property.
w – 10 = 0 w + 3 = 0 Solve for w.
w = 0 –10 w=0+3
w = –10 w=3

Therefore, the solutions are w = –10 and w = 3.

Now, let us check to see if our answer is correct. Substitute the value of w in the equation w2 + 7w
– 30 = 0 by –10 and 3.
1. if w = –10: 2. if w = 3:
w + 7w – 30 = 0
2
w2 + 7w – 30 = 0
(–10)2 + 7(–10) – 30 = 0 32 + 7(3) – 30 = 0
100 + (–70) – 30 = 0 9 + 21 – 30 = 0
30 – 30 = 0 30 – 30 = 0
0 = 0 0 = 0

OOPPSSS!!! Do not forget to answer the question posed by the problem. We still have to find the
dimensions of the rectangular garden. We need to solve the length as well as the width. But which
value of w should we use? Let’s find out!
If we use the value of w which is –10, or shall we say –10 ft, it cannot be made because there is
no such thing as a negative measurement. Measurement is always expressed as an absolute
value, that is, positive. So, we have to choose w = 3 ft. Let us see if this is correct.
width = 3 ft
length = w + 7 = 3 ft + 7 = 10 ft
Area = length x width
= 10 ft x 3 ft
Area = 30 ft2 (The problems says that the area of the garden is 30 sq. ft. So, our answer
is correct! Therefore, the dimensions are: length = 10 ft and width = 3 ft.

Condition 2: When a is not equal to 1, or a ≠ 1.

Example 1. Find the roots or solutions of 2x2 – 7x – 4 = 0
This is different now from the previous examples because the coefficient of x2 in no longer 1. In
this example, we will use the so-called ac method.

The ac Method
Step 1. Given the quadratic trinomial 2x2 – 7x – 4, multiply a and c:

2 x (–4) = –8
Step 2. Find the factors of ac such that its sum is equal to b. In this example, b = –7.

Pair of numbers with a Sum of the Two

product of –8 Numbers
–8 and 1 –7
8 and –1 7
2 and –4 –2
–2 and 4 2

The numbers with a product of –8 and a sum of –7 are –8 and 1.

 LESSON 3. SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

Step 3. Substitute the middle term –7x by (–8x + x)

2x2 – 7x – 4 = 0 Given
2x2 + (–8x + x) – 4 = 0 Rewrite –7x as (–8x + x)
(2x2 – 8x) + (x – 4) = 0 Group the terms by two such that you can get a common
monomial factor of the two terms.
2x(x – 4) + (x – 4) = 0 Factor each group of binomials.
(2x + 1) (x – 4) = 0 Regroup the factors and write the two same factors as one
only.
2x + 1 = 0 x–4=0 Solve for x applying the zero-product property.
2x = 0 –1 x=0+4
2x = –1 x=4
1
x=–2

Check your solution by substituting the value of x.

1
if x = – 2: if x = 4:

2x2 – 7x – 4 = 0 2x2 – 7x – 4 = 0
1 1
2(− 2) ² – 7(– 2) – 4 = 0 2(4)2 – 7(4) – 4 = 0
1 7
2(4) – (– 2) – 4 = 0 2(16) – 28 – 4 = 0
2 7
+2–4 = 0 32 – 28 – 4 = 0
4
2 + 14 − 16
= 0 32 – 32 = 0
4
16 − 16
= 0 0 = 0
4
0
= 0
4
0 = 0

Example 2. Find the solutions of 2x2 + x – 10 = 0.

Step 1. Given the quadratic trinomial 2x2 + x – 10, multiply a and c:

2 x (–10) = –20
Step 2. Find the factors of ac such that its sum is equal to b. In this example, b = 1.

Pair of numbers with a Sum of the Two

product of –20 Numbers
–10 and 2 –8
–2 and 10 8
5 and –4 1
–5 and 4 –1

The numbers with a product of –20 and a sum of 1 are 5 and –4.
 LESSON 3. SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

Step 3. Substitute the middle term x by (5x – 4x)

2x2 + x – 10 = 0 Given
2x2 + (5x – 4x) – 10 = 0 Rewrite x as (5x – 4x)
(2x2 – 4x) + (5x – 10) = 0 Group the terms by two such that you can get a common
monomial factor of the two terms.
2x(x – 2) + 5(x – 2) = 0 Factor each group of binomials.
(2x + 5) (x – 2) = 0 Regroup the factors and write the two same factors as one
only.
2x + 5 = 0 x–2=0 Solve for x applying the zero-product property.
2x = 0 – 5 x=0+2
2x = –5 x=2
5
x=–2

Check your solution by substituting the value of x.

5
if x = – 2: if x = 2:

2x2 + x – 10 = 0 2x2 + x – 10 = 0
5 5
2(− 2) ² + (– 2) – 10 = 0 2(2)2 + 2 – 10 = 0
25 5
2( 4 ) + (– 2) – 10 = 0 2(4) + 2 – 10 = 0
50 5
– 2 – 10 = 0 8 + 2 – 10 = 0
4
50 − 10 − 40
= 0 10 – 10 = 0
4
40 − 40
= 0 0 = 0
4
0
= 0
4
0 = 0

Condition 3: When the equation is not written in standard form or though written as such,
but incomplete quadratic.
Example 1. Find the solutions of 4x2 = 6x.
Step 1. Rewrite the equation in standard form. Transpose 6x to the left side. It becomes –6x.
4x2 = 6x 4x2 – 6x = 0

Step 2. Get the common monomial factor of the left side of the equation.

4x2 – 6x = 0
2x(2x – 3) = 0

So, the factors are 2x and 2x – 3.

Step 3. Apply the zero-product property to each of the factors.

2x = 0 2x – 3 = 0
0
x=2 2x = 0 + 3
x=0 2x = 3
3
x=
2
 LESSON 3. SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

Step 4. Check your solution by substituting the value of x.

if x = 0: 3
if x = 2:

4x2 = 6x 4x2 = 6x
3 3
4(0)2 = 6(0) 4(2)² = 6(2)
9 18
4(0) = 6(0) 4(4) =
2
36 18
0 = 0 =
4 2
9 = 9

Example 2. Find the solutions of x2 + 7x = 0.

Step 1. Get the common monomial factor of the left side of the equation.

x2 + 7x = 0
x(x + 7) = 0

So, the factors are x and x + 7.

Step 2. Apply the zero-product property to each of the factors.

x=0 x+7=0
x=0–7
x = –7
Step 3. Check your solution by substituting the value of x.

if x = 0: if x = –7:
x2 + 7x = 0 x2 + 7x = 0
02 + 7(0) = 0 (–7)² + 7(–7) = 0
0+0 = 0 49 + (–49) =00
0 = 0 0 =00

Example 3. Find the solutions of –5x2 + 10x = 20x.

Step 1. Rewrite the equation in standard form. Transpose 20x to the left side. It becomes –20x.
–5x2 + 10x = 20x –5x2 + 10x – 20x = 0
Step 2. Since the coefficients can be reduced to lowest term by dividing by the LCD, it is better
to reduce first to lowest term because it is easy to solve when the terms have small values of
coefficients.
–5x2 + 10x – 20x = 0 –x2 + 2x – 4x = 0
5
Step 3. Simplify the last two terms because they are similar terms.
–x2 + 2x – 4x = 0
–x2 – 2x = 0
Step 4. Get the common monomial factor of the terms.
–x(x + 2) = 0
So, the factors are –x and x + 2.
Step 5. Apply the zero-product property to each of the factors.
–x = 0 or x = –0
However, 0 is neither positive nor negative, so we can just report our final answer as
x = 0.
 LESSON 3. SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

x+2=0
x=0–2
x = –2
Therefore, the solutions are x = 0 and x = –2.
Step 6. Check your solution by substituting the value of x.

if x = 0: if x = –2:
–5x2 + 10x = 20x –5x2 + 10x = 20(–2)
–5(0)2 + 10(0) = 20(0) –5(–2)² + 10(–2) = –40
0+0 = 0 –5(4) + 10 (–2) =0–40
0 = 0 –20 + (–20) =0–40
–40 =––40

Example 4. Find two consecutive positive even integers such that the sum of the square of
the first integer and two times the second integer is 28.
Let:
x = first integer
x + 2 = second integer

Equation: x2 + 2(x + 2) = 28
Step 1. Simplify first the second term by using distributive property of multiplication.
x2 + 2(x + 2) = 28
x2 + 2x + 4 = 28
Step 2. Rewrite the equation in standard form. Transpose 28 to the left side of the equation. It
becomes –28. Then simplify the equation.
x2 + 2x + 4 – 28 = 0
x2 + 2x – 24 = 0
Step 3. Find the factors of ac such that its sum is equal to b. In this example, ac = –24 and b = 2.
Pair of numbers with a Sum of the Two
product of –24 Numbers
–6 and 4 –2
6 and –4 2
8 and –3 5
–8 and 3 –5

The numbers with a product of –24 and a sum of 2 are 6 and –4.
Step 4. Substitute the middle term 2x by (6x – 4x)
x2 + 2x – 24 = 0 Given
x2 + (6x – 4x) – 24 = 0 Rewrite x as (6x – 4x)
(x2 + 6x) – (4x – 24) = 0 Group the terms by two such that you can get a common
monomial factor of the two terms.
x(x + 6) – 4(x + 6) = 0 Factor each group of binomials.
(x – 4) (x + 6) = 0 Regroup the factors and write the two same factors as one
only.
x–4=0 x+6=0 Solve for x applying the zero-product property.
x=0+4 x=0–6
x=4 x = –6
 LESSON 3. SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORING METHOD

Step 5. Check your solution by substituting the value of x.

if x = 4: if x = –6:
x2 + 2x + 4 = 28 x2 + 2x + 4 = 28
42 + 2(4) + 4 = 28 (–6)² + 2(–6) + 4 = 28
16 + 8 + 4 = 28 36 + (–12) + 4 =228
28 = 28 28 = 28

Let us now find the two consecutive positive even integers. The solutions are x = 4 and x = –6.
These solutions are the values of the first even integer. Since the problem states that the integers
must be positive also, we will eliminate –6 because it is not a positive integer. Therefore, we will
consider only 4 as our first positive even integer.
Let:
x = first integer 4
x + 2 = second integer x+2=4+2=8
So, the two consecutive positive even integers are 4 and 8.
Let us check our answer to see if we get the correct solution. Let’s go back to our equation and
substitute x by 4.

x2 + 2(x + 2) = 28
42 + 2(4 + 2) = 28
16 + 2(6) = 28
16 + 12 = 28
28 = 28

Let us summarize our lesson by these important reminders!

• A quadratic equation written in standard form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a ≠

0, can be solved through a method called factoring.
• A quadratic equation in standard form is factorable if the discriminant b² –
4ac is a perfect square.
• The solution of a quadratic through factoring is based on the zero-product property, that is, if
the product of two factors is 0, then at least one of the factors is zero.
• Solving quadratic equation through factoring can be done using different factoring
techniques.

References:
Mathematics for the 21st Century Learner 9 by Celeste Joy O. Matias, et.al., DIWA LEARNING SYSTEMS INC, ©
2015.

Practical Math 9 by Eduard M. Albay, DIWA LEARNING SYSTEMS INC, © 2018.

https://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/DevelopmentalMath/COURSE_TEXT2_RESOURCE/U12_L3_T1_text_fina
l.html

https://www.chilimath.com/lessons/intermediate-algebra/solving-quadratic-equations-factoring-method/

http://www.mesacc.edu/~scotz47781/mat120/notes/factoring/solving_by/quadratics/quadratics.html