Factorisation

1. Factorising using the Highest Common Factor(HCF)

e.g.(i) 18xy – 24xyz + 36xz

6x(3y - 4yz + 6z )

(ii) 30 x4y6 + 24 x5y2 - 42x3y5

6x3y2 (5xy4 + 4x2 – 7y3 )

2. Factorising by the Difference of Squares

e.g. 9x2 - 25
(3x - 5) (3x + 5)

3. Factorising of Quadratic Expressions 1, 2 , 3, 4 , 6 , 12

e.g.(i) x2 + 7x + 12 Find two factors of the ‘c’ term whose

x2 + 3x + 4x + 12 product is ‘c’ but whose sum is the ‘b’
(x2 + 3x) (4x+12) factor. 3 x 4 = 12
x(x + 3) 4(x + 3) 3 +4=7
(x+4) (x+3)

(ii) 4x2 + 18x + 8 Multiply ‘a’ term by ‘c’ term.

4x2 + 16x + 2x + 8 Find two factors of ‘ac’ whose
(4x2 + 16x) (2x + 8) products will be ‘ac’ but whose sum
4x(x + 4) 2(x + 4) will be but whose sum will be ‘.
(4x + 2) (x + 4) 4 x 8 = 32
16 x 2 = 32
16 + 2 = 18
 Transposition – Changing the subject of the formula

+,-
X,÷
e.g. (i) a = b + c for b
a–c=b
(ii) a = b – c for b
a+ c = b
(iii) a = bc for b
a/c = b
(iv) a = b/c for b
ac= b
(v) a = bc + d for c
a-d = bc
(a-d)/b = c
(vi) a = bc + d for c
e
ae= bc + d
ae-d = bc
(ae-d)/b = c