F.

2 Mathematics
Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
Lecture Note

Note:

1. Factorization of Polynomials
(a) To factorize a polynomial is to express the polynomial as a product of
its factors.
(b) Factorization of polynomials is the reverse process of expansion.

Expansion

(a+b)( c+d ) ac +ad +bc +bd

Factorization

Example 1
Factorize 10x3 + 5x

Solution
10x3 + 5x = 5x(2x2 +1)

2. Taking out Factors and Grouping Terms

(a) Taking out common factors

(b) Grouping terms

Example 2
Factorize –5a – 5b

Solution
–5a – 5b = –5(a + b)

Example 3
Factorize cd – c + d2 – d

Solution
cd – c + d2 – d = c(d – 1) + d(d – 1)
= (d – 1)(c + d)

F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note

Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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  Follow-up:
Factorize each of the following.
(a) a 3 b2 −b 3 c 2

(b) 3( x− y )−12( x− y )2

(c) ax +bx +a+ b

(d) x 2 − yw+xy−xw

3. Using Identities
(a) The following identities can be used to factorize the polynomials

a2 – b2  (a + b)(a – b)
a2 + 2ab + b2  (a + b)2
a2 – 2ab + b2  (a – b)2

(b) The following identities can be used to factorize the polynomials

a3 – b3  (a – b)( a2 + ab + b2)
a3 + b3  (a + b)( a2 – ab + b2)

Example 4
Factorize (i) 9 x 2 −16 y 2 .
4
(ii) 16 a −36

2 2 2 4
(iii) (4 +ab ) −4 a b

Solution
2 2 2 2
(i) 9 x −16 y =(3 x ) −(4 y )

=(3 x+4 y )(3 x−4 y )

4 4
(ii) 16 a −36=4 (4 a −9)

=4 [(2 a 2 )2 −(3)2 ]

=4 (2 a 2 +3 )(2 a2−3)

F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note

Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2
(iii) (4 +ab ) −4 a b =(4+ ab ) −(2 ab )

=(4 +ab 2 +2 ab2 )(4+ab 2 −2 ab 2 )

=(4 +3 ab 2 )(4−ab 2 )

Example 5
Factorize
2
(i) x +8 x +16

(ii) 25 x 2−30 xy+9 y 2

Solution
2 2 2
(i) x +8 x +16=( x ) +2(4 )( x )+( 4 )

=( x+4 )2

2 2 2 2
(ii) 25 x −30 xy+9 y =(5 x ) −2(5 x )(3 y )+(3 y )

=(5 x−3 y )2

Example 6
3
Factorize 135−40 a .

Solution
3
135−40 a3 = 5(27−8 a )

3 2
= 5[(3 ) −(2 a ) ]

2 2
= 5(3−2 a)[(3 ) +(3)(2 a )+(2 a ) ]

F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note

Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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 2
= 5(3−2 a)( 9+6 a+4 a )

 Follow-up:
Factorize each of the following.

(a) 4 x 2− y 2

(b) 9 a 6 −b4

(c) 36( m+2 k )2−4 (m−k )2

(d) 75(a +b2 )2 −243(c 2 −d )2

4. Cross-method

This method can be used to factorize quadratic polynomials of the form px2 + qx + r.
e.g. Factorize x2 – 4x + 3.

x +1 + 1 –1 –1
x +3 –3 +3 –3

Using the cross-method to test each possible pair of factors, we have

x2 – 4x +3 = (x –1)(x – 3)

 Follow-up:
Factorize
F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note
Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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(a) z 2 +5 z +6

(b) 60 m2 −57 m+ 9

(c) – 4k2 – 10k + 14

(d) 9 x 4 −44 x 2 +32

F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note

Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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