MATHEMATICS

Form 9:9

Topic: Algebra
Sub-topic: Factorization
Teacher: Ms. C. Thomas

Objective
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to factorize simple algebraic
expressions containing H.C.F

What is a factor?

A factor is a number that divides into another number exactly and without leaving
a remainder. For example 8 ={1, 2, 4, 8} and 12={1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12}

What is prime factorization?

Prime factorization is a way of expressing a number as a product of its prime

factors. For example: 8 = 2 x 2 x 2 and 12 = 2 x 2 x 3
What is H.C.F.?

The highest common factor or HCF of two or more numbers is the greatest
number which divides exactly the given numbers.

8=2x2x2

12 = 2 x 2 x 3 HCF = 2 x 2 = 4

8a = 2 x 2 x 2 x a

12b = 2 x 2 x 3 x b HCF = 2 x 2 = 4

Examples

Calculate the HCF of the following algebraic expressions

1. 6ab and 15az

6ab = 2 x 3 x a x b

15az = 3 x 5 x a x z HCF = 3 x a = 3a

2. 18x and 12y

18x = 2 x 3 x 3 x x

12y = 2 x 2 x 3 x y HCF = 2 x 3 = 6
3. 20x and 12xy

20x = 2 x 2 x 5 x x

12xy = 2 x 2 x 3 x x x y HCF = 2 x 2 x x = 4x

4. 10a2b and 14ab

10a2b = 2 x 5 x a x a x b

14ab = 2 x 7 x a x b HCF = 2 x a x b = 2ab

Examples

Factorize completely

1. 6ab + 15az

6ab = 2 x 3 x a x b

15az = 3 x 5 x a x z HCF = 3a

Ans = 3a (2b + 5z)

2. 18x + 12y

18x = 2 x 3 x 3 x x

12y = 2 x 2 x 3 x y HCF = 2 x 3 = 6

6 (3x + 2y)

3. 20x + 12xy

20x = 2 x 2 x 5 x x

12xy = 2 x 2 x 3 x x x y HCF = 2 x 2 x x = 4x

Ans. 4x (5 + 3y)

4. 12b2 + 2ab – 6ab

12b2 = 2 x 2 x 3 x b x b

2ab = 2 x a x b

6ab = 2 x 3 x a x b HCF = 2 x b = 2b

2b (6b + a – 3a) = 2b (6b – 2a)