CHAPTER 4

SPECIAL PRODUCTS AND FACTORING

SPECIAL PRODUCTS: special in the sense that they do not follow the usual way of
multiplication but these methods could only be applied to some forms of polynomials to be
multiplied.

1) PRODUCT OF SUM AND DIFFERENCE

(𝒙 + 𝒚)(𝒙 − 𝒚) = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐
Examples:
𝑎) (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 5) =
Solution:
Based from the given problem, x = x and y = 5
Therefore, we have 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝟐 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟓

𝑏) (3𝑥 − 5)(3𝑥 + 5) =
Solution: x = 3x and y = 5
Therefore, we have (3𝒙)𝟐 − 𝟓𝟐 = 9𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟓

𝑐) (3𝑥 2 − 4𝑦 3 )(3𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 3 ) =
Solution: x = 3𝑥 2 and y = 4𝑦 3
Therefore, we have (3𝑥 2 )2 − (4𝑦 3 )2 = 9𝑥 4 − 16𝑦 6

𝑑) (−2𝑥 − 7𝑦 2 )(−2𝑥 + 7𝑦 2 ) =
Solution: x = −2𝑥 and y = 7𝑦 2
Therefore, we have (−2𝑥)2 − (7𝑦 2 )2 = 4𝑥 2 − 49𝑦 4

2) SQUARE OF A BINOMIAL
(𝒙 + 𝒚)𝟐 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐
(𝒙 − 𝒚)𝟐 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐
Examples:
𝑎) (𝑥 + 7)2 =
Solution: Identify the x and the y and substitute in the given form: x = x and y = 7
Therefore, we have 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙(𝟕) + 𝟕𝟐 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟒𝒙 + 𝟒𝟗

𝒃) (𝟑𝒙 − 𝟓𝒚)𝟐 =
Solution: x = 3x and y = 5y
Therefore, we have (3𝑥)2 − 2(3𝑥)(5𝑦) + (5𝑦)2 = 9𝑥 2 − 30𝑥𝑦 + 25𝑦 2

𝒄) (−2𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑧 2 )2 =
Solution: 𝒙 = −𝟐𝒙𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚 = 𝟑𝒛𝟐
Therefore, we have (−2𝑥𝑦)2 − 2(−2𝑥𝑦)(𝟑𝒛𝟐 ) + (𝟑𝒛𝟐 )2 = 4𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 12𝑥𝑦𝒛𝟐 + 9𝑧 4
𝒅) [(𝒙 − 𝟑𝒚 + 𝟒]𝟐 =
Solution: 𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3𝑦 − 4
Therefore, we have 𝑥 2 − 2(𝑥)(3𝑦 − 4) + (3𝑦 − 4)2 = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥𝑦 + 8𝑥 + 9𝑦 2 − 24𝑦 + 16

3) CUBE OF A BINOMIAL
(𝒙 + 𝒚)𝟑 = 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙𝟐 𝒚 + 𝟑𝒙𝒚𝟐 + 𝒚𝟑
(𝒙 − 𝒚)𝟑 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 𝒚 + 𝟑𝒙𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟑
Examples:
𝑎) (𝑥 + 2𝑦)3 =
Solution: Identify the x and the y: 𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 2𝑦
Since the given is addition, we make use of the first form
= 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 (2𝑦) + 3𝑥(2𝑦)2 + (2𝑦)3
= 𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 𝑦 + 12𝑥𝑦 2 + 8𝑦 3

𝑏) (𝑥 2 − 3𝑦 3 )3 =
Solution: 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3𝑦 3
Since the problem is subtraction, we make us of the second form.
= (𝑥 2 )3 − 3(𝑥 2 )2 3𝑦 3 + 𝟑𝑥 2 (3𝑦 3 )𝟐 − (3𝑦 3 )𝟑
= 𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 4 𝑦 3+27𝑥 2 𝑦 6 − 27𝑦 9

𝑐) (−2𝑥 3 + 5𝑦 2 )3 =
Solution: : 𝑥 = −2𝑥 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 5𝑦 2
= (−2𝑥 3 )𝟑 + 𝟑(−2𝑥 3 )𝟐 5𝑦 2 + 𝟑(−2𝑥 3 )(5𝑦 2 )𝟐 + (5𝑦 2 )𝟑
= −8𝑥 9 + 60𝑥 5 𝑦 2 − 150𝑥 3 𝑦 4 + 125𝑦 6+

4) PRODUCT OF TWO BINOMIALS

(𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃𝒚)(𝒄𝒙 + 𝒅𝒚) = 𝒂𝒄𝒙𝟐 + (𝒂𝒅 + 𝒃𝒄)𝒙𝒚 + 𝒃𝒅𝒚𝟐

We can handle the product mentally according to the following scheme commonly called
the FOIL method
F: Multiply First Terms =(𝑎𝑥)(𝑐𝑥) = 𝑎𝑐𝑥 2
O: Multiply Outer Terms = (𝑎𝑥)(𝑑𝑦) = 𝑎𝑑𝑥𝑦
I: Multiply Inner Terms = (𝑐𝑥)(𝑏𝑦) = 𝑏𝑐𝑥𝑦
L: Multiply Last Terms = (𝑏𝑦)(𝑑𝑦) = 𝑏𝑑𝑦 2

Examples:

𝑎) (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 5) = (𝑥)(𝑥) + (𝑥)(−5) + (3)(𝑥) + (3)(−5)

= 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 15
= 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15
𝑏) (𝑥 − 7)(𝑥 − 8) = (𝑥)(𝑥) + (𝑥)(−8) + (−7)(𝑥) + (−7)(−8)
= 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 56
= 𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 + 56

𝑐) (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 7) = (𝑥)(𝑥) + (𝑥)(7) + (−5)(𝑥) + (−5)(7)

= 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 35
= 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 35

𝑑) (3𝑥 + 4𝑦)(2𝑥 − 5𝑦) = (3𝑥)(2𝑥) + (3𝑥)(−5𝑦) + (4𝑦)(2𝑥) + (4𝑦)(−5𝑦)

= 6𝑥 2 − 15𝑥𝑦 + 8𝑥𝑦 − 20𝑦 2
= 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥𝑦 − 20𝑦 2

𝑒) (−2𝑥 + 3𝑦)(7𝑥 − 4𝑦) = (−2𝑥)(7𝑥) + (−2𝑥)(−4𝑦) + (3𝑦)(7𝑥) + (3𝑦)(−4𝑦)

= −14𝑥 2 + 8𝑥𝑦 + 21𝑥𝑦 − 12𝑦 2
= −14𝑥 2 + 29𝑥𝑦 − 12𝑦 2

5) PRODUCT OF A BINONIAL AND A SPECIAL TRINOMIAL

(𝒙 + 𝒚)(𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐 ) = 𝒙𝟑 + 𝒚𝟑
(𝒙 − 𝒚)(𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐 ) = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝒚𝟑

The product of a binomial and a special trinomial is the sum or difference of the cube of
each special term in the binomial.
An expression is a special trinomial of the binomial factor if it satisfies the following
conditions:
1) The first term is the square of the first term of the binomial.
2) The second term is the negative product of the two terms in the binomial.
3) The third term is the square of the second term of the binomial.

Examples:
𝑎) (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 16)
Solution: Identify the x and y from the given expression:
𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 4
Since the given expression satisfies the condition, then the output is
= 𝒙 𝟑 + 𝟒𝟑
= 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟔4

𝑏) (3𝑥 − 𝑦)(9𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )

Solution: 𝑥 = 3𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 𝑦. Check if the given expression satisfies the three conditions
above. If it does then, we have = (𝟑𝒙)𝟑 + 𝒚𝟑
= 𝟐𝟕𝒙𝟑 + 𝒚𝟑
𝑐) (5𝑥 2 − 3𝑦 3 )(25𝑥 4 + 15𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 9𝑦 6 )
Solution: Identify the x and y of the given expression: 𝑥 = 5𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3𝑦 3
Check if the expression satisfies the three conditions. If so, then we have
= (5𝑥 2 )𝟑 − (3𝑦 3 )𝟑
= 𝟏𝟐𝟓𝒙𝟔 − 𝟐𝟕𝒚𝟗

𝑑) (−2𝑥 − 3𝑦 3 )(4𝑥 2 − 6𝑥𝑦 2 + 9𝑦 4 )

Solution: Identify the x and y of the given expression: 𝑥 = −2𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3𝑦 3
Check if the given expression satisfies the three conditions. If so, then we have
= (−2𝑥)𝟑 − (3𝑦 3 )𝟑
= −8𝑥 𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕𝑦 9

𝑒) (3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 4𝑧 3 )(9𝑥 4 𝑦 4 − 12𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧 3 + 16𝑧 6 )

Solution: Identify the x and y of the given expression: 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 4𝑧 3
Check if the expression satisfies the three conditions. If so, then we have
= (3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 )𝟑 + (4𝑧 3 )𝟑
= 𝟐𝟕𝒙𝟔 𝑦 6 + 𝟔𝟒𝒛𝟗

6) SQUARE OF A TRINOMIAL
(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧)2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 + 2𝑦𝑧

The square of a trinomial is the sum of the square of each term plus the sum of twice the
product of each combination of terms. The product consists of six terms.

Examples:

𝑎) (𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 3𝑧)2
Solution: Identify the x, y and z in the given expression: 𝑥 = 𝑥, 𝑦 = −2𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = −3𝑧
We substitute the values in the given form. Thus, we have
= 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 + 2𝑦𝑧 (Form)
= 𝑥 2 + (−2𝑦)2 + (−3𝑧)2 + 2𝑥(−2𝑦) + 2𝑥(−3𝑧) + 2(−2𝑦)(−3𝑧)
= 𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 + 9𝑧 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 − 6𝑥𝑧 + 12𝑦𝑧

𝑏) (4𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 5)2
Solution: Identify the x, y and z of the given expression: 𝑥 = 4𝑥 2 , 𝑦 = −3𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = 5
We substitute the values in the given form. Thus, we have
= 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 + 2𝑦𝑧 (Form)
= (4𝑥 2 )2 + (−3𝑥)2 + 52 + 2(4𝑥 2 )(−3𝑥) + 2(4𝑥 2 )(5) + 2(−3𝑥)(5)
= 16𝑥 4 + 9𝑥 2 + 25 − 36𝑥 3 + 40𝑥 2 − 30𝑥
Arrange the expression from highest to the lowest exponent
= 16𝑥 4 − 36𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 2 + 40𝑥 2 − 30𝑥 + 25
= 16𝑥 4 − 36𝑥 3 + 49𝑥 2 − 30𝑥 + 25
𝑐) (−3𝑥 2 − 2𝑦 2 + 4𝑧)2
𝑑) (𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 5)2 = [𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + (3𝑥 − 5)]2

Exercise 4.1

FACTORING:
The process of writing a polynomial as a product of two or more expressions. It is an
important tool for reducing algebraic fractions and for solving equations and inequalities.
The polynomial is said to be COMPLETELY FACTORED form when it is written as
product of prime polynomials.
PRIME FACTOR is a polynomial that CANNOT be factored into other factors that DO
NOT involve irrational numbers.

1) COMMON FACTORS:
𝒂𝒙 + 𝒂𝒚 = 𝒂(𝒙 + 𝒚)

Examples:
𝑎) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 12𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 3 − 24𝑥𝑧 4 – Extract the common factor of the given expression:
Solution: 12𝑥𝑦𝑧 3 (𝑥 − 2𝑧)

𝑏) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 10𝑥 2 𝑦 3 − 5𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 20𝑥 4 𝑦

Solution: 5𝑥 2 𝑦(2𝑦 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑥 2 )

𝑐) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 18𝑥(𝑥 + 𝑦) − 12𝑦(𝑥 + 𝑦)

Solution: 6(𝑥 + 𝑦)[3𝑥 − 4𝑦]

2) DIFFERENCE OF TWO SQUARES:

𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐 = (𝒙 + 𝒚)(𝒙 − 𝒚)
Examples:
𝑎) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 16𝑥 2 − 25𝑦 2
Solution: From the given expression, identify the x and the y.
𝑥 = 4𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 5𝑦. How did we get 𝑥 = 4𝑥? 16𝑥 2 is a perfect square and the square of
it is 4𝑥 and 25𝑦 2 is also a perfect square and its square root is 5𝑦. Having the given
data, we substitute in the given form (𝒙 + 𝒚)(𝒙 − 𝒚).

Therefore, we have (𝟒𝒙 + 𝟓𝒚)(𝟒𝒙 − 𝟓𝒚)

𝑏) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 20𝑥 4 − 5𝑦 2
Solution: Firstly, 20𝑥 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 5𝑦 2 are not perfect square. But we can make them perfect
square by applying the common terms factoring: We factor out 5 which is common to both
terms. Thus, we have 𝟓(𝟒𝒙𝟒 − 𝒚𝟐 ). Having now the first and the second term to be perfect
 square, we can now apply the difference of two squares factoring where 𝑥 = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚 =
𝒚. Substituting the values to the form, we have 𝟓(𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚)(𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚)

𝑐) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 3𝑥(𝑥 − 2)2 − 12𝑥𝑦 4

Solution: Extract the common terms which is 3x. Therefore, we have 3𝑥[(𝑥 − 2)2 − 4𝑦 4
Where 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 2𝑦 2. Substitute the terms to the form: (𝒙 + 𝒚)(𝒙 − 𝒚) So, we
have 𝟑𝒙[(𝒙 − 𝟐) + 𝟐𝒚𝟐 ][(𝒙 − 𝟐) − 𝟐𝒚𝟐 ] ans.

𝑑) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 16𝑥 4 − 𝑦 4
Solution: 16𝑥 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 4 are both perfect square so we simply get the square root of both so
we have: 𝑥 = 4𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 𝑦 2. Given the data, we substitute to the form (𝒙 + 𝒚)(𝒙 − 𝒚)

Therefore, we have (𝟒𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 )(𝟒𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐 ) ans.

3) SUM OR DIFFERENCE OF TWO CUBES

𝒙𝟑 + 𝒚𝟑 = (𝒙 + 𝒚)(𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐 )
𝒙𝟑 − 𝒚𝟑 = (𝒙 − 𝒚)(𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐 )

Examples:
𝑎) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑥 3 − 27
Solution: Identify the x and the y: 𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3
Therefore, we have (𝑥 − 3)( 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 32 )
Simplifying we have, (𝑥 − 3)( 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 9)

𝑏) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 64𝑥 3 + 27𝑦 3

Solution: Identify the x and the y: 𝑥 = 4𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3𝑦
Therefore, we have (4𝑥 + 3𝑦)[ (4𝑥)2 − (4𝑥)(3𝑦) + (3𝑦)2 ]
Simplifying we have, (𝟒𝒙 + 𝟑𝒚)( 𝟏𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟐𝒙𝒚 + 𝟗𝒚𝟑 ) ans.

𝑐) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 3𝑥 5 𝑦 − 24𝑥 2 𝑦 7
Solution: Since the given expression is not a perfect cube root, we do the common term
factoring thus, we have 3𝑥 2 𝑦(𝑥 3 − 8𝑦 6 ). Since 𝑥 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 8𝑦 6 are both perfect cube root, we
can already factor using the form (𝒙 − 𝒚)(𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐 ) where 𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 2𝑦 2
Therefore, we have 3𝑥 2 𝑦(𝑥 − 2𝑦 2 )[𝑥 2 + (𝑥)(2𝑦 2 ) + (2𝑦 2 )2 ]
Simplifying we have, 3𝑥 2 𝑦(𝑥 − 2𝑦 2 )[𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 2 + 4𝑦 4 ]ans.

𝑑) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 (𝑥 − 2)3 + 8
Solution: identify the x and y of the given expression: 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 2
Therefore, we have (𝑥 − 2) + 2)[(𝑥 − 2 )2 − (𝑥 − 2)(2) + 22 ]
Simplifying, we have 𝑥[𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 + 2𝑥 + 4 + 4]
= 𝑥[𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 12]
4) PERFECT SQUARE TRINOMIALS
A trinomial that is the result of squaring a binomial.

𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐 = (𝒙 + 𝒚)𝟐
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐 = (𝒙 − 𝒚)𝟐
Note :
1) Two of the terms are preceded by a plus sign.
2) The two terms preceded by a plus sign are both perfect squares
3) The third term is twice the product of the squared expressions
4) The sign of the third term determines the sign of the binomial factors.
Examples :
𝑎) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 2
Solution: 𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4𝑦 2 are terms which are preceded by a plus sign and they are both perfect
squares while the third term which is at the center of the expression 4𝑥𝑦 is the product of
the squared expressions. The negative sign of the third term determines the sign of the
binomial factor.

Since, the expression satisfies the given conditions then we identify the x and the y. We
have, 𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 2𝑦. Substitute the values to the form (𝒙 − 𝒚)𝟐
Thus, we have (𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚)𝟐 ans.

𝑏) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 16𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 1
Solution: 16𝑥 2 and 1 are both perfect squares having 4𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1 respectively. Thus, we
have 𝑥 = 16𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 1. Having now the values of a and y, we substitute to the given
form (𝒙 + 𝒚)𝟐 . Therefore, we have (𝟒𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟐

𝑐) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 8𝑥 4 + 24𝑥 2 + 18
Solution: The first and the third terms are not perfect squares. So we have to make sure
they are such by applying the common term factor method. Basing from the given
expression, the common term in all the three terms is 2 thus, we have
= 2(4𝑥 4 + 12𝑥 2 + 9)

With this, the first and the third terms are already perfect squares having its roots:
2𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 3 respectively. Thus, we have 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3. Substitute the values to the
form (𝒙 + 𝒚)𝟐 . Therefore, we have (𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑)𝟐.

5) QUADRATIC TRINOMIAL
Some trinomials are NOT perfect square trinomials can be factored into the product of
two binomials. FOIL method in reverse.

𝒂𝒄𝒙𝟐 + (𝒂𝒅 + 𝒃𝒄)𝒙𝒚 + 𝒃𝒅𝒚𝟐 = (𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃𝒚)(𝒄𝒙 + 𝒅𝒚)

Examples:
𝑎) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 15
Solution: Identify a, b, c, d, x and y.
In the given expression, we have: 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = −8 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 = 15
= (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 5)

𝑏) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 6
= (2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) ans.

𝑐) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 8𝑥 2 + 22𝑥 + 9
= (4𝑥 + 9)(2𝑥 + 1) ans.

6) FACTORING BY GROUPING:

Examples:
𝑎) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑥 − 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑚𝑦
Solution: Collect like terms, we have 𝑏𝑥 − 𝑏𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑚𝑦
Then extract terms which are common from each term:
= 𝑏(𝑥 − 𝑦) + 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑦)
= (𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑏 + 𝑚) ans.

𝑏) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 3𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑥𝑧 + 15𝑦 − 15𝑧

Solution: Collect like terms, we have 3𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑥𝑧 𝑎𝑛𝑑 15𝑦 − 15𝑧
Then extract terms which are common from each term:
= 3𝑥(𝑦 − 𝑧) + 15(𝑦 − 𝑧)
= (𝑦 − 𝑧)(3𝑥 + 15)
= 3(𝑦 − 𝑧)(𝑥 + 5) ans.

𝑐) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑥 2 − 1 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2
Solution: 𝑥 2 − 1 and 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 , since 𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1 are perfect square, the factors are
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1). The second group of term shall be 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 where y is common to both terms.
Therefore, we extract common terms which is y, so we have 𝑦(2𝑥 + 𝑦).
= (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) + 𝑦(2𝑥 + 𝑦). 𝑎𝑛𝑠.

𝑑) 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 36 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 9𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 2
Solution: Group terms with common terms: 36 − 9𝑦 2 and 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 2 . Considering 36 −
9𝑦 2 , the common term is 9. Thus, extract 9 from both terms we have 9(4 − 𝑦 2 ). Considering
the second group of terms with 𝑥 2 as common term . We have, 𝑥 2 (𝑦 2 − 4). Putting all factored
terms together, we have 9(4 − 𝑦 2 ) + 𝑥 2 (𝑦 2 − 4).

Exercise 4.2
Name:________________________________ Score:__________________________
Course/Section:_______________________ Date Performed:________________

4.1 Special Product

Use the method of Special Products to solve the following expressions:

1. (4x2 – 3)(4x2 + 3) 11. (3x – 2y)(3x + 5y)

2. (2x2+ 4)(2x2 – 4) 12. (8x – 3y)(3x – 8y)

3. (5x + y)(5x - y) 13. (3x – y – 2y)2

4. (3x – 2y)(3x – 2y) 14. (x + 5y – 2y)2

5. (3x2 – 2)3 15. (-x3 + 4x2 - 2)2

6. (4x2 + 1)3 16. (3x2 + 2x + 1)2

7. (2x2 + 2y)(4x4 – 6x2y + 9y2) 17. (x – 1)(x + 1)(x2 + 1)

8. (3x2 –y)(9x4 + 2x2y + 4y2) 18. (2x + 3)(2x – 3)(4x2 + 9)

9. (x + 3)(x – 4) 19. (3x – 4y)(3x + 4y)(9x2 + 16y2)

10. (2x – 4)(3x + 5) 20. (2x2 – 1)(2x2 + 1)(4x4 + 1)

Name: Score:

Course/Section: Date Performed:

4.2. Factoring

Factor each of the following completely.

1. 9x2y – 12xy3: 13. 4x2 – 20xy + 25y2:

2. 15xy3 – 5x2y2 14. 16x2 + 8xy + y2:

3. 16x2y2 + 8xy2 – 20xy 15. 3x2y2 – 12xyz2 + 12z4 :

4. 12xy4 – 18x2y2 + 6x3y 16. 4x4 + 24x2y2z2 + 36y4z4:

5. 16x4 – 1 17. X2 + 5x -14:

6. 1 – 16y4 18. X2 + 5x – 24:

7. 4x(x – 1)2 – 16x 19. 3x2 – 3xy – 6y2

8. 50 – 2(x + 5)2 20. 2x2 + 3xy – 14y2

9. x6 – 64 21. 2mx + 4bx + 3my + 6by

10. z6 – 125 22. 3mx – 6bx – 4my + 8by

11. 54x4 – 2xy6 23. 4x2 + y2 + 4y – 4

12. 5x2 – 40x5y3 24. x2 + 9y2 – 6y – 1