Mathematics 10

Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) No. 2

November 21,2023

TRANSFORMING POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION INTO FACTORED FORM

 Transform each polynomial function in factored form.

Example 1:

 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 + 5𝑥 + 6

Solution:

Step 1: Factor the first term

2
x = 𝑥 • 𝑥,
and factor the last term

6= 2•3

6•1

(- 2) • (- 3)

(-6) • ( -1)

Step 2: For the last term of the factors, get the pair of factors of the constant whose sum equals the
coefficient of the middle term.

Since the middle term is 5x, get the factors of the constant whose sum is equal to 5

 2+3=5

6+1=7

(- 2) + (- 3)= -5

(-6) + ( -1) =-7

Step 3: Write the factor as a product of polynomial.

The factored form of 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 is (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 2).

Example 2:

 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 + 8𝑥 + 15

Solution:

Step 1: Factor the first term

2
x = 𝑥 • 𝑥,
and factor the last term

15 = 3 • 5

1 • 15

-3 • -5

-1 • -15
 Step 2: For the last term of the factors, get the pair of factors of the constant whose sum equals the
coefficient of the middle term.

Since the middle term is 8x, get the factors of the constant whose sum is equal to 8

 3+5=8

1 + 15 = 16

-3 + -5 = -8

-1 + -15= -16

Therefore, the pair of factors of the constant whose sum equal to 8 is 3 and 5

Step 3: Write the factor as a product of polynomial.

The factored form of 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 + 8𝑥 + 15 is (𝑥 + 3 )(𝑥 + 5).

Example 3 :

 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 + 7𝑥 - 18

Solution:

Step 1: Factor the first term

2
x = 𝑥 • 𝑥,
and factor the last term

-18 = 1 • -18

2 • -9

3 • -6

-1 • 18

-2 • 9

-3 • 6

Step 2: For the last term of the factors, get the pair of factors of the constant whose sum equals the
coefficient of the middle term.

Since the middle term is 7x, get the factors of the constant whose sum is equal to 7

1 • -18 = -17

2 + -9 = -7

3 + -6 = -3

-1 • 18 = 17

 -2 + 9 = 7

-3 + 6= 3

Step 3: Write the factor as a product of polynomial.

The factored form of 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 + 7𝑥 - 18 is (𝑥 - 2)(𝑥 + 9).

Example 4 :

 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 - 8𝑥 - 20

Solution:

Step 1: Factor the first term

2
x = 𝑥 • 𝑥,
and factor the last term

-20 = 1 • -20

2 • -10

4 • -5

-1 • 20

-2 • 10

-4•5

Step 2: For the last term of the factors, get the pair of factors of the constant whose sum equals the
coefficient of the middle term.

Since the middle term is -8x, get the factors of the constant whose sum is equal to -8

1 + -20= -19

 2 + -10= -8

4 + -5= -1

-1 +20= 19

-2 +10 =8

- 4 + 5=1

Step 3: Write the factor as a product of polynomial.

The factored form of 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 - 8𝑥 - 20 is (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 +10).

ACTIVITY 1

Factor the following polynomials

2
1. x + 9𝑥 + 20
2
2. x + 10𝑥 + 25
2
3. x - 7𝑥 + 12
2
4. x - 2𝑥 – 63
2
5. x - 10𝑥 – 24