Factoring is the opposite of expanding.

It is the process of putting expressions into parentheses rather

than expanding them out. In this section you will learn how different kinds of expressions are factored
in their own way.

Answer these questions, before working through the chapter.

I used to think:

What factors 20 and 12 have in common? What factors do 20ab and 12a have in common?

1, 2, 4, a, 2a, 49
1, 2, 4,

(x - 2) (x + 2) = x2 - 4 . Complete the following: x2 - 16 = (x - ?) (x + ?)

(x-4)(x+4)

How many factors is a quadratic trinomial factored into?

Answer these questions, after working through the chapter.

But now I think:

What factors 20 and 12 have in common? What factors do 20ab and 12a have in common?

1, 2, 4 1, 2, 4, a, 2a, 49
(x - 2) (x + 2) = x2 - 4 . Complete the following: x2 - 16 = (x - ?) (x + ?)

(x-4)1x+4)
How many factors is a quadratic polynomial factored into?

What do I know now that I didn’t know before?

Common Factors

Whole numbers that multiply together to give a particular number are called the factors of that number.
For example, the number 6 can be expressed as the product of two whole numbers in two ways:
6 = 6 # 1 and 6 = 2 # 3 . So the factors of 6 are: 1, 2, 3, 6.
A common factor of two numbers is a number that is a factor of both numbers. Here is an example of finding the
highest common factor.

What is the highest common factor (HCF) of 12 and 18?

To get the highest common factor, first get the factors of each number. Then pick the highest one.
12 = 12 # 1 18 = 18 # 1
12 = 6 # 2 18 = 9 # 2
12 = 4 # 3 18 = 6 # 3
Factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. Factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 18.

` The highest common factor (HCF) of 12 and 8 is 6.

Factors occur in algebra too. In algebra the expression ab means a # b . So a and b are factors of ab.
Here are some examples of common factors in algebra.

What is the common factor of each of these:

a ab and bc. The common factor is b, since it is a factor of both terms.

a xy and xz. The common factor is x.

A common factor of a2 b and a2 c is a. But a2 also occurs in both terms, so a2 is also a common factor.
The highest common factor of a2 b and a2 c is a2 . Here is another example.

What is the highest common factor of x 4 y and x 2 z ?

x 4 y = x2 # x2 y Remember that x4 = x2 # x2 .
x2 is the highest power of x which occurs in both
x2 z = x2 # z x4 y and x2 z .

` The highest common factor of x4 y and x2 z is x2 .

In a term such as 10xy, the number 10 is called the coefficient. The coefficient is the number in front.
Here is an example.

What is the highest common factor of 20x 4 yz and 12x3 z ?

The highest common factor of the coefficients, 20 and 12, is 4.

The highest common factor of x4 yz and x3 z is x3 z . x3 is the highest power of x which occurs in both
terms. z is common to both.

Therefore putting these together, the HCF is 4x3 z .

Factoring
Factoring is the opposite of expanding. The goal of expanding is to remove parentheses from expressions, like
this example:
a (b + c) = ab + ac

The goal of factoring is to put expressions into parentheses, like this example:

ab + ac = a (b + c)

Using Common Factors

Common factors are said to be ‘factored out’ of expressions. In the expression ab + ac , the variable a is common
in both terms. So a is a common factor of both terms. This means a can be ‘factored out’ of the expression as
above. Here are some examples:

Factor these expressions:

a 5xy + 5y b 2x2 y - 4xy2

= 5y (x + 1) = 2xy (x - 2y)

5y is common in both terms 2xy is common in both terms

In a above, both 5 and y are common factors on their own, but 5y is the highest common factor (HCF). In b , 2xy
is the highest common factor. To find the HCF, find the highest common numerical factor of the coefficients and then
the lowest common power of each variable.

Factor these expressions:

a 6a5 b3 + 9a3 b5 b 12x2 y5 - 4x3 y3

= 3a3 b3 (2a2 + 3b2) = 4x2 y3 (3y2 - x)

3 3 2 3
3a b is the HCF 4x y is the HCF
• 3 is the HCF of the coefficients • 4 is the HCF of the coefficients
3 2
• a is the lowest power of a • x is the lowest power of x
3 3
• b is the lowest power of b • y is the lowest power of y

Sometimes there will be more than two terms. Then the HCF must be found for all the terms!

Factor this expression:

8a3 b4 - 4a3 b3 + 12a2 b5 • 4 is the HCF of the coefficients

2
= 4a2 b3 (2ab - a + 3b2) • a is the lowest power of a
3
• b is the lowest power of b
Parentheses as Common Factors

Sometimes parentheses are a common factor. If this happens then the parentheses are factored out.
Look at this example:

Factor the following:

2x (x + 3) + 5y (x + 3)

(x + 3) is common in both terms

= (x + 3) (2x + 5y)

Factoring using Grouping and Parentheses

The above example may not have been grouped into parentheses, and may have been in expanded form

2x2 + 6x + 5xy + 15y

Many expressions, like in the above line, could have 4 (or more) terms without a common factor across all terms.

Factor the following (by grouping in pairs):

a 2a3 + 2ab + 4a2 b2 + 4b3 b 6x2 - 9xy - 4x + 6y

1 44 2 44 3 1 44 2 44 3 1 44 2 44 3 1 44 2 44 3

2a is common 2
4b is common 3x is common - 2 is common

= 2a (a2 + b) + 4b2 (a2 + b) = 3x (2x - 3y) - 2 (2x - 3y)

(a2 + b) is common parenthesis (2x - 3y) is common parenthesis

= (a2 + b) (2a + 4b2) = (2x - 3y) (3x - 2)

Sometimes the expression needs to be reordered before it can be grouped to find a common pair of parentheses.
Here is an example:

Factor the following:

2a2 - 3b2 - 2ab2 + 3a

Step 1: Reorder. = 2a2 - 2ab2 + 3a - 3b2

Step 2: Find common factors. = 2a (a - b2) + 3 (a - b2)

Step 3: Factor out the common parentheses. = (a - b2) (2a + 3)

Check this by expanding the parentheses to see if you get the original expression.
1. Find the HCF of these terms:

a 6x2 and 2x b 8x5 and 6x2 y

2x
2

2x

c 12a2 b3 and 8a4 b2 d - 4d4 e3 f 2, 10d2 e5 f 3 and 16d5 e4 f

4a"b" 2d'e'f

2. Factor the HCF out of the following:

a 6x + 2y b 2a2 - 4a

213xty) 2a 19-2)

c 8pq2 - 10q d - 3p2 q4 + 12p4 q2

29(4p9-5) 3pigr(-g"+4p2)

e 10x2 y4 - 40x4 y2 f 8a2 b5 c3 + 24a5 b2 c6

loxig"ly"-4x) 8a"b" (b+3a")

g 6p2 q3 + 3p3 - 15pq4 h 7mn2 - 14m5 n5 + 21m3 n2

7mn" (1-2m"n" +3 mi)

3p
(2p9"+p"-59"
3. Factor the following:

a 3x2 (2x - 1) + 5y (2x - 1) b 4x (x2 y3 - y2) + 2 (x2 y3 - y2)

12x-1)(3x"+ 5y)
2y"(xy-1) (2x+1)

4. Factor these expressions using grouping:

a xy + y + 2x + 2 b ab2 - 2ab + 4b - 8

2(x+D ab(3-2) + 4(b-2)

(x +1) + =

=y
(x+1) = (ab + 4) (b-2)
=
1y72)

c 2x2 + 3x + 4xy + 6y d m 3 n + m + 3m 2 n + 3
3 (m n+1)
= x (2x +3) +
2y(2x +3) m
=

(min +1) +

(2 x + 3)
=

(m+3) (min+1)
=
1x+2y)
e 8xy2 + 4x2 - 4y3 - 2xy f 2p2 + 3p2 q + 4p + 6pq

2y(2y" x) p" (2+39) +2p(2+39)

4x(23 x) - =
= +
=
(p"+2p) (2+39)
=(4x-2g)(23+ x) =
pCp +2)(2+39)

g 4mn2 + 3mn4 - 4m - 3mn2 h y + xy4 + y2 + xy3

= mn" (4 +307)
-
m (4 +3n7 =
yty"+xy4+Xy?
= (mri-m) (4+3n7) =
yCity) + xp(y+1)
= m(n=m) (4+3n7) =Cy+xy)) (Ity)
=y(1+xy" (H y)

i 18p3 q + 12pq2 + 6p4 q + 4p2 q2 j - 2ab2 + 4a2 b - 4a2 b5 + 8a3 b4

=
1899 +6p49 +12p9"+4p2" = -
2ab"49235+49+8a36"
=-2ab" (1+2ab) +4956 (1+2ab3)
=
6pg(3+p) +4p9(3+p)
(49 -(abY (1+2ab")
1643+4p9")(3+p)
=

=
Cab (2a-b) (1+2ab)
2p9(3p7729) (3tp)
=
Expanding parentheses produces what is called a ‘quadratic trinomial’. Look at this example:
(x + 2) (x + 3) = x2 + 5x + 6
The expression on the right is a quadratic trinomial because it has three terms and the highest power is 2.

In general, a quadratic trinomial looks like this:

ax2 + bx + c
Leading Coefficient constant
Coefficient of x
(in front of x2 ) (no x )

Remember, factoring is the opposite of expanding. So factoring a quadratic trinomial means changing it back to
parentheses. Factoring these trinomials is done differently depending on the value of a (the leading coefficient).

Factoring Quadratic Trinomials if a = 1

If a = 1 then the quadratic trinomial looks like this:

x2 + bx + c
To factor these expressions, two numbers are needed such that:

1. Their product is c (the constant)

2. Their sum is b (the coefficient of x) and

These two numbers are written in the parentheses. Here are some examples:

Factor these quadratic trinomials:

a x2 + 5x + 6
Step 1: Find two numbers with a product of 6 (the constant) and a sum of 5 (the coefficient of x).
2 # 3 = 6 and 2 + 3 = 5
Product Sum

So the numbers are +2 and +3.

Step 2: Factor by writing these two numbers in parentheses with x.
x2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2) (x + 3)

b x2 - 5x - 6
Step 1: Find two numbers with a product of -6 (the constant) and a sum of -5 (the coefficient of x).
1 # (- 6) = - 6 and 1 + (- 6) = - 5
Product Sum

So the numbers are +1 and -6.

Step 2: Factor by writing these two numbers in parentheses with x.
x2 - 5x - 6 = (x + 1) (x - 6)
The order of these numbers is not important
1. Find values for m and n if they have these sums and products:

a m + n = 3 and mn = 2 b m + n = 7 and mn = 12

1,2 3, 4
c m + n = 0 and mn = - 4 d m + n = - 3 and mn = 2

-2,2 -2,-1
e m + n = 3 and mn = - 10 f m + n = - 3 and mn = - 18

3
-

2,5 -

b,
2. Answer these questions about the trinomial x 2 + 9x + 20 :

a Write down the value of the leading coefficient (a), the coefficient of x (b) and the constant (c).

I
I
9, 20
b Find two numbers whose product is (c) constant and whose sum is (b).

4, 5
c Factor the trinomial.

(x+4) (x +5)

3. Answer these questions about the trinomial x 2 - 4x - 21 :

a Write down the value of the leading coefficient (a), the coefficient of x (b) and the constant (c).

1, -4 -21
b Find two numbers whose product is (c) constant and whose sum is (b).

-7,3
c Factor the trinomial.

(x-1) (x+3)
4. Factor these trinomials:

a x2 + 4x + 3 b x2 + x - 6

=
(x+D1XT3) =
1x-3)(x+2)

c x2 - 6x + 5 d x2 + 2x - 24

=
(x-5) (x-1) =
(x +6) (x-4)

e x2 - 6x - 16 f x2 - 14x + 40

=
(x-8)1x+2) =
(x-10) (x-4)

g x2 - 5x - 14 h x2 - 12x + 32

= (x-7)(x+2) =(x-4) (x-8)

Factoring Quadratic Trinomials if a ! 1

Factoring ax2 + bx + c when a is not 1 is slightly more complicated. This will be shown with an example.

Factor 12x 2 + 2x - 4

Step 1: Find the value of a # c .

a # c = 12 # - 4 = - 48

Step 2: Find the two number which have a product

⑧ of a # c (-48) and a sum of b (2).
8 # (- 6) = - 48 and 8 + (- 6) = 2
So the two numbers are 8 and -6

Step 3: Rewrite the original b (coefficient of x) in terms of the two numbers in Step 2.
12x2 + 2x -4
= 12x2 + 8x - 6x - 4 The '2x' is replaced by 8x - 6x

Step 4: Use grouping to factor.

= 4x (3x + 2) - 2 (3x + 2)
= (3x + 2) (4x - 2)

Here is another example:

Factor 12y 2 + 10y - 1

Step 1: Find the value of a # c .

a # c = 24 # - 1 = - 24

Step 2: Find the two number which have a product of a # c (-24) and a sum of b (-10).
2 # (- 12) = - 24 and 2 + (- 12) = - 10
So the two numbers are 2 and -12

Step 3: Rewrite the original b (coefficient of y) in terms of the two numbers in Step 2.

24y2 - 10y -1
= 24y2 + 2y - 12y - 1

Step 4: Use grouping to factor.

= 24y2 - 12y + 2y - 1
= 12y (2y - 1) + (2y - 1)
= (2y - 1) (12y + 1)
5. Look at 16x 2 + 12x + 2 .

a Identify a, b and c.

a 16, 6
=
=
12,c=2
b Find the value of a # c .

32
c Find two numbers which have a product equal to a # c and a sum equal to b.

4, 8
d Factor 16x2 + 12x + 2 .

=
16x"+4x +8x +2
=
4x(4x+1)+214x+1)
=
14x +2)(4x+1)

6. Look at 6x 2 - x - 2 .

a Identify a, b and c.
2
=6, bic,
=
a
a
b Find the value of a # c .

- 12
c Find two numbers which have a product equal to a # c and a sum equal to b.

4,3
d Factor 6x 2 - x - 2 .

= 65+3x-4X-2
·
3x (2x+1)-2(2x+1)
= (3x-2)12x D+
7. Factor these quadratic trinomials:

a 2x2 + 5x + 2 b 12m2 + 5m - 3

=(x+2) (2x +
1)
=
(4m +3) (3m-1)

c 14p2 + 23p + 3 d 5t2 + 37t + 14

(t+7) 15+ +2)

(2p+3)(7p+1)
·
=

e 8k2 - 22k + 5 f 6d2 - 19d + 15

=
14K-) (21.5) =
Rd.3) (3d-5)
Difference of Squares

Remember when expanding parentheses that differ in sign only ^ x + yh^ x - yh = x2 - y2 .

This means that if a quadratic expression is in the form x2 - y2 then it can be factored easily into ^ x + yh^ x - yh .

Herer are some examples.

Factor the following using the difference of squares:

a x2 - 16 b 4m2 - 25n2
= x2 - 42 = (2m) 2 - (5n) 2
= (x + 4) (x - 4) = (2m - 5n) (2m + 5n)

Don’t get confused: x2 + y2 can’t be factored into two parentheses. Only a difference of squares can be factored
this way.

Perfect Squares

Remember, for perfect squares (x + y) 2 = ^ x + yh^ x + yh = x2 + 2xy + y2 .

This means that if a quadratic expression is in the form x2 + 2xy + y2 then it can easily be factored into (x + y) 2 .

Here are some examples.

Factor the following:

a m2 + 6m + 9 b x2 - 4x + 4
= m2 + 2 (m) (3) + 32 = x2 + 2 (x)(- 2) + (- 2) 2
= (m + 3) 2 = (x - 2) 2

c 9c2 + 12cd + 4d2 d 9p2 - 6pq + q2

= (3c) 2 + 2 (3c) (2d) + (2d) 2 = (3p) 2 + 2 (3p) (- q) + (- q) 2
= (3c + 2d) 2 = (3p - q) 2

Whenever you factor anything, you can always check by expanding the parentheses to see if you get the
original expression.
8. Factor these expressions:

a x2 + 14x + 49 b y2 - 9

=
1x+7) Cy+3) (y-3)
=

c 4y2 + 8y + 4 d 16q2 - 36p2

=
4(y72) =(49+6p) (49-bp)

e 81p2 - 121q2 f 64m2 + 32mn + 4n2

"

=
19P+119) (9p-1(9) =
(8m+2n)

g 49t2 - 56tu + 16u2 h 9x2 y2 + 12pqxy + 4p2 q2

(3xy +2p9)
"

= (7+ -4u) =
Using more than one Method to Factor

The methods learned up until need to be combined sometimes to factor certain expressions.

Factor 4y 2 - 12y - 16

Method 1 Method 2
4y2 - 12y - 16 4y2 - 12y - 16
Step 1: Factor out a common factor Step 1: Factor the trinomial

= 4 (y2 - 3y - 4) = 4y2 1-44

16y + 4y - 16
2 44 3 - 16 # 4 = - 64 (a # c)
= 4y (y - 4) + 4 (y - 4) - 16 + 4 = - 12 (b)

= (y - 4) (4y + 4)

Step 2: Factor the quadratic trinomial Step 2: Factor the common factor out from ^4y + 4h

= 4 (y - 4) (y + 1) = 4 (y - 4) (y + 1)

Sometimes the ‘difference of squares’ method needs to be used more than once, or combined with factoring out a
common factor. Here are some examples.

Factor the following:

a m4 - n4 b 3x3 - 108x

= (m2) 2 - ^ n2h = 3x^ x2 - 36h

2

Common factor
= ^ m2 + n2h^ m2 - m2h
= 3x^ x + 6h^ x - 6h
= ^ m2 + n2h^ m + nh^ m - nh
1 4 44 2 4 44 3

Remember: only a difference of squares can Difference of squares

be factored this way

If there are four terms or more, then grouping may have to be used with other methods. Here is an example.

Factor p 2 + 4p - q 2 + 4q

p2 + 4p - q2 + 4q

= p2 - q2 + 4p + 4q
1 4 44 2 444 3 Difference of squares
= ^ p + qh^ p - qh + 4 (p + q)

= ^ p + qh 6^ p - qh + 4 @
Common factor
= ^ p + qh^ p - q + 4h
Factoring Trinomials with more than one Variable.

What happens if a quadratic trinomial like x2 - xy - 6y2 or 2x2 + 7xy - 15y2 needs to be factored? If the first and
last terms are both squared, then the same is process for factoring trinomials is followed.

Factor x 2 - xy - 6y 2

Step 1: Find two numbers with a product of - 6y2 (coefficient of end term) and a sum of - 1y (coefficient of
middle term).
- 3y # 2y = 6y2 and - 3y + 2y = - 1y
1 44 2 44 3 1 44 2 44 3
Product Sum

So the numbers are - 3y and + 2y .

Step 2: Factor by writing these two numbers in parentheses with x and y.

x2 - xy - 6y2 = ^ x - 3yh^ x + 2yh

Factor 2x 2 + 7xy - 15y 2

Step 1: Find the product of the first coefficient and the last coefficient.
2 #- 15 = - 30

Step 2: Find the two numbers with a product of the above number and a sum of the middle coefficient.

10 # (- 3) = - 30 and 10 + ^- 3h = 7
So the two numbers are 10 and -3

Step 3: Rewrite the original middle coefficient in terms of the two numbers in Step 2.
2x2 + 10xy - 3xy - 15y2
= 2x2 - 3xy + 10xy - 15y2

Step 4: Use grouping to factor.

= x^2x - 3yh + 5y^2x - 3yh
= ^2x - 3yh^ x + 5yh

Sometimes, of course, this method of factoring will be combined with another.

Factor 3p3 q + p 2 q 2 - 4pq3

3p3 q + p2 q2 - 4pq3 = pq^3p2 + pq - 4q2h

= pq^3p2 - 3pq + 4pq - 4q2h

1 4 44 2 4 44 3 - 3 # 4 = - 12 (a # c)
= pq 63p^ p - qh + 4q^ p - qh@ -3 + 4 = 1 (b)

= pq^ p - qh^3p + 4qh

1. Factor the following:

a 10m2 + 5m - 5 b - x2 + 6x + 40

(x26x-40)
5(2 +m-1)
-
=
= m

1x-10)(x + 4)
5(2m-1) (m+1)
= -

(10-x(x + 4)
=

c x8 - y8 d 8x2 - 2xy - y2

=
(x) -Ly4) =
(4x+y) (2x-y)
=
1x"+y4) (x "y")
=
1x "ty") [1xY-1y"]
=
(x"ty") (city) (xig)
=
1x"+y4)(ity") (xty) (x-3)
e 28t3 - 6t2 - 10t f 3x2 + 5xy - 2y2

(14 -"-3+-5)
= It =

1x+2y)(3x-y)
It (77 -5) (2+ 1)
+
=
g 10x3 - 1000x h a5 - ab4

la"-b")
=

=10x (x 100) =a

a [laY"13Y"]
( x + 107 (x-10)
=

10
=

x
=a (a+b") (a: b
+3) (a-b)
=a (a+bY (a

i - 4x2 - 2xy + 12y2 j (y - 3) 2 - (y - 5) 2

-2(2x+xy-by) 5)
(y-3+y-5) (y-3-y
+
=
=

=
2(x+2y)(2x-3y)
12y-8) (2)
-

=
4y-16
=
4(y-4)

k m2 - 4n - 4n2 - 2m l - 12t2 + 27u2 - 12t - 18u

3(4+" -9u) -6(2++3n)
m-4n"- 44-2h = -

6 (2++3n)
3(2++32) (2+-32)
-

= -

=
Cm"-(2n57] -2(2u+m) =
12++3 n) [-3(2+-3n)-6]
= (m+2n3(m-2n) -2(2n+m) = 12++3 n) [-3(2+-3u+2)]
= Duth) (m-2n-2) =
-
3/2++3n) (It-3u+2)
Algebraic Fractions

Numerical fractions can be simplified by finding common factors in the numerator and denominator. For example
12 = 2 # 6 = 2
18 3#6 3
Algebraic fractions have algebraic expressions in the numerator and the denominator. They can also be simplified
by canceling common factors. To do this, both the numerator and denominator need to be factored.

Here are some examples:

Simplify these algebraic fractions:

a 2x2 - 8 b
y2 - 2y - 15
2x + 4 2
3y (y - 5) + 2 (y - 5)

2 (x2 - 4) ( y + 3 ) ( y - 5)
= Common factor =
2 (x + 2) 2
3 y (y - 5 ) + 2 ( y - 5 )

2 (x + 2) (x - 2) ( y + 3 ) ( y - 5)
= Difference of squares =
2 (x + 2) (y - 5) (3y2 + 2)

2 (x + 2) (x - 2) (y + 3) (y - 5)
= Cancel common parenthesis =
2 (x + 2) (y - 5) (3y2 + 2)

y+ 3
= x- 2 =
3y 2 + 2

To simplify any algebraic fraction, factor the numerator and denominator and remove the common parentheses
and factors.

Simplify these algebraic fractions as much as possible:

a 2x3 - 3x2 - 8x + 12 b
(m - 2n) 2 - (2m + 3n) 2
2x2 + x - 6 m2 + 10mn + 25n2

x2 (2x - 3) - 4 (2x - 3) 6(m - 2n) - (2m + 3n) @6(m - 2n) + (2m + 3n) @
= =
(2x - 3) (x + 2) (m + 5n) 2

(2x - 3) (x2 - 4) (- m - 5n) (3m + n)

= =
(2x - 3) (x + 2) (m + 5n) (m + 5n)

(2x - 3)(x + 2) (x - 2) - (m + 5n) (3m + n)

= =
(2x - 3)(x + 2) (m + 5n) (m + 5n)

= x- 2 - (3m + n)
=
m + 5n

= - 3m - n
m + 5n
1. Simplify these fractions as much as possible:

a 2m2 + 14m + 24 b
9x2 - 4y2
m+ 3 9x + 10xy + 4y2
2

-tim
2(m+3> (m+4)
·

-
m+3

2 (m+ 4)
·

c 4t3 - t2 + 4t - 1 d b2 - c2 + 4b + 4c
4t - 1 b2 - c2
(b-c) + 4 (6 -c)
- "I (b c)
+
*
-a)
=
#
I

4t-I
(b+c) (b -c 4)
+

("t)-I"ti -4
=

4t
-
Fret4
-
4t-I -

-
14t-1
4t-7

= fix
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Algebraic fractions are multiplied and divided the same way as numerical fractions. Before multiplying or dividing,
factor each fraction as much as possible. Then parentheses can be canceled to make calculations easier.

Here is an example multiplying two algebraic fractions

Multiply these two algebraic fractions

4a2 - b2 # b2 - b - 12
b + b - 20 2a2 - 5ab - 3b2
2

Factor the numerator and denominator in both fractions.

(2a + b) (2a - b) (b + 3) (b - 4)
= #
(b - 4) (b + 5) (2a + b) (a - 3b)

Cancel the common parentheses.

(2a + b) (2a - b) (b + 3) (b - 4)
= #
(b - 4) (b + 5) (2a + b) (a - 3b)
(2a - b) (b + 3)
=
(b + 5) (a - 3b)

Here is an example dividing two algebraic fractions

Find the following quotient

8x2 - 6x - 5 ' 4x - 5
2x2 + 7x + 3 x2 + 6x + 9

Factor the numerator and denominator in both fractions.

(2x + 1) (4x - 5) 4x - 5
= '
(x + 3) (2x + 1) (x + 3) 2

Flip the second fraction to create a product of fractions.

2
(2x + 1) (4x - 5) (x + 3)
= #
(x + 3) (2x + 1) 4x - 5

Cancel the common parentheses. 2

(2x + 1) (4x - 5) (x + 3)
= #
(x + 3) (2x + 1) 4x - 5

= x+ 3
Adding and Subtracting Fractions

When adding and subtracting algebraic fractions, a common denominator must be found.

Simplify the following (by combining the fractions):

a 4- 3 b 10 + 3y + 1
x 2x y y2
10y 3y + 1
= 8 - 3 4 = 4#2 = 8
= + 10 = 10 # y = 10y
y y#y
2x 2x x x#2 2x y2 y2 y2

10y + 3y + 1
= 8- 3 =
2x y2
13y + 1
= 5 =
2x y2

Here are two examples where the denominators have different letters.

Simplify the following (by combining the fractions):

a 1 +1 b 5x - 1 + 2
a b 7 x
^5x - 1h # x
= 1#b + 1#a = + 2#7
a#b b#a 7#x x#7
^5x - 1h x + 14
= b + a =
ab ba 7x
2
= b + a Remember that ab = ba = 5x - x + 14
ab ab as the order of multiplying 7x
doesn't matter.
= b+ a
ab

Here are two more examples where different numbers or letters occur in the denominator.

Simplify the following (by combining the fractions):

a 3 + 5 b 5 + 3
8x 3x 7m 5n

= 3#x + 5#8 = 5 # 5n + 3 # 7 m
8x # 3 3x # 8 7m # 5n 5n # 7m

= 9 + 40 = 25n + 21m
24x 35mn 35mn

= 49 = 25n + 21m
24x 35mn
The next two examples involve denominators with two or more terms.

Simplify the following (by combining the fractions):

a 3 + 4
x + 2 5x + 1

3 # ^5x + 1h 4 # ^ x + 2h
^ x + 2h # ^5x + 1h ^5x + 1h # ^ x + 2h
= +

3^5x + 1h + 4^ x + 2h
^ x + 2h^5x + 1h
=

= 15x + 3 + 4x + 8
^ x + 2h^5x + 1h

19x + 11
^ x + 2h^5x + 1h
=

2p 3 - 5 p 2
b + 3 Hint: Factor the denominator
2p2 - 3p - 10 p+ 2

2p 3 - 5 p 2
= + 3 Factor denominator
(p + 2) (2p - 5) p+ 2

2p 3 - 5 p 2 3 (2p - 5)
= + Common denominator
(p + 2) (2p - 5) (p + 2) (2p - 5)

2p3 - 5p2 + 3 (2p - 5)

=
(p + 2) (2p - 5)

2p3 - 5p2 + 6p - 15
=
(p + 2) (2p - 5)

p2 (2p - 5) + 3 (2p - 5)
= Grouping in pairs
(p + 2) (2p - 5)

(2p - 5) (p2 + 3)
=
(p + 2) (2p - 5)

(2p - 5) (p2 + 3)
= Cancel common parenthesis
(p + 2) (2p - 5)

p2 + 3
=
p+ 2
2. Simplify the following products and quotients:

a
2y - 2 3x2 - 3xy b 2m2 + 13m - 7 # 2m2 - 14m
#
3x - 3y 2y2 - 2y m2 - 49 2m - 1

x
(m-i)
12 m-1 (m+i)
2m
x -
-
(y-1) 2 m-1
I

zy (m+i) (m -z)

=
H = 2m

:f
X

:E

c
p + 5 p2 + 10p + 25 d 4 - x2 ' 2- x
' 2
p- 2 p - 4p + 4 6 + 11x + 4x2 6 - 11x + 4x2

#** **2
Dr
x

As
I

(4x +3)(x+2)
2-X
- x

=-
(4X-3)(x-2)
P-2
I
- 4x+3
P+5
e 4a2 - b2 # 3a - 4b
6a - 11ab + 4b2
2
a- b

sblcas Gle x

2a +b
I m

a -
b

4x - 3y 8x2 + 10xy - 3y2

f '
x + 2y 4x2 - 9y2

<x-32
=-
x +
2y xhsyscesand
14x-3y) (2x-3y)
I
-

1x +2y) (4x-g)
3. Simplify these expressions:

a 3 - 5
2a 3a

·
fo-fa
=- To

b 2x2 - 3 - x + 1
6x 4

-
Fib IES
x -3x-6
=-
12 X
c 4x + 2 + x - 4
x+ 1 2x + 2

:*** I 0x+4
2(x+1)

=fxti

d
2y 3y
+
y2 - 1 y+ 1

fy- f
=
ly-)+SES)
=
Ty
Cy+)ly-1)

:
fis.?
e 3 - 3
x + 2 2x + 1

+)-fx+>
is
·

=
nel
:
fis

f 2 - 1
(y + 3) (y + 4) (y + 3) (y - 4)

-
tly-4) illy-4)
·
ily-4)
fil
 2p p
g -
2
3p + 5p + 2 p+ 1

HEESE
2p(4+1)

2(p+)
=

***P
:
- (3p+2)
fisi T

(p +1
-I
·
Eph p+i

3PTY
3p+2) (p+1)
:

:
p-<p
(3p +2) (p+1)

=
Tep+)
h
m2 - 100 + m- 3
m + 13m + 30 2m2 - 18
2

M-3
Cm +10)(m-10)

mes"Trial
-

m-3

:ih
(m+3) 2
( m-3)

= iO ci +

2(m-10) + 1
-

3]
con-19
Em+3)
=
i 1 + 1 + 1
x+ 1 x+ 2 x- 1

(x+1)(x-1) + (x+1)(x+2)
(x +2) (x-1) ->
-
(x
(x+1)(x+2)
x"+3x+2
·
1+
*

(x+1) (x+2) (x-1)

etYY
iD

j 4a - 2b ' 4a + 6b
3a - 5b 6a2 - ab - 15b2

is

sta-b) b)(sats
= ca -
b