LESSON 3.

Solving Problem Involving Factors of

Polynomials
Special products and factoring can also be used to solve day-to-day
problems. We know that the most fundamental procedure in solving a word
problem is to determine exactly what we are looking for, and then represent the
unknown data using variables.

Example: Solve the given problem.

The sum of two numbers is 22 and the sum of their squares is 250. Find the
numbers.
Step 1. Representation
Let x be the one of the two numbers
22 – x be the other number
Step 2. Equation
x2 + (22 – x)2 = 250

Step 3. Simplification
x2 + (22 – x)2 = 250

x2 + 484 – 44x + x2 = 250 Square the binomial

x2+ x2 – 44x + 484= 250
2x2 – 44x + 484= 250 Combine similar terms
2x – 44x+484–250=250-250 Addition Property of Equality
2

2x2 – 44x + 234= 0

2x2 – 44x + 234 = 0
2 2 Divide both sides by 2
x2 – 22x + 117 = 0
(x – 13) (x – 9) Factor the trinomial
(x – 13) = 0, (x – 9) = 0 Equate each linear factor to zero
x – 13 = 0, x – 9 = 0 Solve the linear factor
x–13+13=0+13, x–9+9=0+9 Addition Property of Equality
x = 13, x=9
Therefore, the numbers are 9 and 13.