Synthetic Division
Example:
Divide 5x3 - 14x + 3 by x - 2 using synthetic division
• The divisor is of the form x - a where a = 2
• Use the numerical coefficients of the given dividend and
the value of "a" as the divisor
Example
Solution:
5 0 -14 + 3 [ 2___
10 +20 + 12
-------------------
5 + 10 + 6 + 15
Hence, the quotient will be 5x2 + 10x + 6 remainder 15
or
15
2
5x + 10x + 6 + ----
x-2
Exercises:
1. 2a2 + 5a – 3 a + 3
2. 6x2 – 5xy – 6y2 3x + 2y
3. 5c4 – 13c3d + 4c2d2 – 21cd3 – 10d4 5c + 2d
4. x4 + 3x3 – 3x – 2 x2 – 5
5. 3x4 – x3y + 4xy3 – 2y4 x2 – xy + y2
6. 3x4 – 7x – 20 x + 2
7. x4 – 5x3 + x2 - 6 x – 1
Special Products and Factoring
1. Finding a Common Factor
When a factor is contained in every term of an algebraic
expression, it is called a common factor. A common factor
may be either a monomial or a polynomial.
Example:
1. ab + ac - ad = a(b + c - d)
Special Products and Factoring
2. a(x2 + y2) - a(x2 - xy - y2) = a[(x2 + y2) - (x2 - xy - y2)]
= a(x2 + y2 - x2 + xy + y2)
= a(2y2 +
xy)
= ay(2y
+ x)
3. (a + b)(a - b) + 2(a + b) = (a + b)[(a - b) + 2]
= (a + b)(a
- b + 2)
Special Products and Factoring
4. (x - 1)(x + 2) - (x - 1)(2x - 3) = (x - 1)[(x + 2) - (2x - 3)]
= (x - 1)[x + 2 - 2x + 3]
= (x - 1)(5 - x)
Exercises:
Factor the given expressions:
1. 6a3b + 3a2b2 - 18ab3
2. 7x - 21y
3. 3x3 - 6x2 + 9x
4. 4x2 - 10x + 2
5. 6x4 - 15x3 + 21x2
Special Products and Factoring
2. Factoring by Grouping
Expressions, which can be factored by this method, are
easily recognizable by the fact that there is always an even
number of terms’
The terms can be arranged so that the numerical
coefficients, disregarding signs, form a proportion.
The terms in the polynomials can be grouped in such a way
that each group has a common factor.
Factoring by Grouping
Examples:
1. ax + bx - ay - by
= (ax + bx) - (ay + by)
= x(a + b) - y(a + b)
= (a + b)[x - y]
2. 2ax + 4ay + 3x - 3z + 6y - 2az
= (2ax + 3x) + (4ay + 6y) - (2az + 3z)
= x(2a + 3) + 2y(2a + 3) - z(2a + 3)
= (x + 2y - z)(2a + 3)
Factoring by Grouping
3. 4x2 - 12xy + 9y2 + 4x - 6y - 3
= (4x2 - 12xy + 9y2) + (4x - 6y) - 3
= (2x - 3y)2 + 2(2x - 3y) - 3
= [(2x - 3y) + 3][(2x - 3y) - 1]
= [2x - 3y + 3][2x - 3y - 1]
Exercises:
Factor the given expressions:
1. xy + x + 3y + 3
2. 2x2 + 4xy - x - 2y
3. 2x3 - 5x2 + 6x - 15
4. 3x2 - 12xy + 2x - 8y
5. xy - 2x + 4y - 8
Factoring a General Quadratic Trinomial
A trinomial of the type ax2 + bxy + cy2 (a, b, c are
integers)
It is a product of two binomials
Examples:
1. 3x2 - 10xy - 8y2 = (3x + 2y)(x - 4y)
2. 12x2 - xy - 20y2 = (4x + 5y)(3x - 4y)
3. 6x4 + 7x2y2 - 3y4 = (3x2 - y2)(2x2 + 3y2)
Factoring a General Quadratic Trinomial
Examples:
4. 20m2 + 3mn - 35n2 = (4m - 5n)(5m + 7n)
5. (x + y)2 - (x + y) - 12 = [(x + y) - 4][(x + y) + 3]
Exercises:
Factor the given expressions:
1. x2 - 2x - 8
2. 15x2 + 2x - 8
3. 12 - 7y + y2
4. 45x2 - 8xy + 4y2
5. 3y3 + 2y2 - 5y
The Square of a Binomial
The square of a binomial containing the sum (or
the difference) of two terms is equal to the square
of the first term, plus (or minus) twice the product
of the two terms, plus the square of the second
term.
That is,
The Square of a Binomial
Examples:
1. (2a + 5b)2 = (2a)2 + 2(2a)(5b) + (5b)2
= 4a2 + 20ab + 25b2
2. (3x - 4y)2 = (3x)2 + 2(3x)(-4y) + (-4y)2
= 9x2 - 24xy + 16y2
The Square of a Binomial
3. (2x + 7y)2 = (2x)2 + 2(2x)(7y) + (7y)2
= 4x2 + 28xy + 49y2
4. (a - 3)2 = (a)2 + 2(a)(-3) + (-3)2
= a2 - 6a + 9
Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials
A perfect square trinomial is a polynomial wherein the
first and the third terms are perfect squares (making
them both positive) while the middle term is twice the
product of the positive square roots of the first and
third terms.
Such trinomial is the square of a binomial whose terms
are the positive square roots of the first and third terms
in the said perfect square trinomial connected by the
sign similar to that of the middle term in the trinomial.
Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials
Examples:
1. 4x2 - 12xy + 9y2 = (2x - 3y)2
2. 9a2 + 24ab + 16b2 = (3a + 4b)2
3. 9m2 - 30mn + 25n2 = (3m - 5n)2
4. 25 + 30(2x - 3y) + 9(2x - 3y)2 = [5 + 3(2x - 3y)]2
5. (2a - 3b)2 - 8(2a - 3b) + 16 = [(2a - 3b) - 4]2
Exercises:
For numbers 1-5, perform the indicated operation:
◦ 1. (x2 + 2)2
◦ 2. (4ax2 - y)2
◦ 3. [2(x - y)]2
◦ 4. (x + 1/3)2
◦ 5. (2xy - 3y2)2
Exercises:
For numbers 6-10,factor the given expressions:
6. x2 + 6x + 9
7. 9x2 + 24x + 16
8. 25x2 + 10x + 1
9. 25x2 + 60x + 36
10. 4a2 - 4a + 1
The Product of the Sum and Difference
of the Same Binomials
The product of the sum and the difference of the
same binomials is equal to the difference of the
square of each term.
Hence,
The Product of the Sum and Difference
of the Same Binomials
Examples:
1. (2x + 3y)(2x - 3y) = (2x)2 - (3y)2
= 4x2 - 9y2
2. (7x + 5y2)(7x - 5y2) = (7x)2 - (5y2)2
= 49x2 - 25y4
3. (3x + 4y)(3x - 4y) = (3x)2 - (4y)2
= 9x2 - 16y2
4. (8r2 + 3s5)(8r2 - 3s5) = (8r2)2 - (3s5)2
= 64r4 - 9s10
Factoring the Difference
of Two Squares
The difference of two squares can be factored
into the product of the sum and difference of
the square roots of the squares.
Hence,
Factoring the Difference
of Two Squares
Examples:
1. 4x4 - 9y2 = (2x2 + 3y)(2x2 - 3y)
2. (a + 3b)2 - 4 = [(a + 3b) + 2][(a + 3b) - 2]
3. x6 - (y + z)2 = [x3 + (y + z)[x3 - (y + z)]
4.
Factoring the Difference
of Two Squares
Example:
5. a8 - b8 = (a4 + b4)(a4 - b4)
= (a4 + b4)[(a2 + b2)(a2 - b2)]
= (a4 + b4)(a2 + b2)[(a + b)(a - b)]
= (a4 + b4)(a2 + b2)(a + b)(a - b)
Exercises:
For numbers 1-5, multiply the given expressions:
1. (cd - x)(cd + x)
2. (3r - 5s)(3r + 5s)
3. (5 - 2y)(5 + 2y)
4. (3x - 4z)(3x + 4z)
5. (ab - 2)(ab + 2)
Exercises:
For numbers 6-10,factor the given expressions:
6. a2 - x2
7. 16x2 - 81y2
8. 16x4 - y4
9. 49y2 - 4x2
p2q2 - 4r2
The Cube of a Binomial
The cube of a binomial containing the sum (or the difference)
of two terms is equal to the cube of the first term plus thrice
the product of the square of the first term and the second
term plus thrice the product of the first term and the square
of the second term plus the cube of the second term.
Hence,
The Cube of a Binomial
Examples:
1. (2x + 3y)3 = (2x)3 + 3(2x)2(3y) + 3(2x)(3y)2 + (3y)3
= 8x3 + (4x2)(9y) + (6x)(9y2) + 27y3
= 8x3 + 36x2y + 54xy2 + 27y3
2. (a - 2b)3 = (a)3 + 3(a)2(-2b) + 3(a)(-2b)2 + (-2b)3
= a3 - 6a2b + 3a(4b2) - 8b3
= a3 - 6a2b + 12ab2 - 8b3
Exercises
Perform the indicated operation:
1. (y - 3)3
2. (2x + 3y)3
3. (3x - 2)3
4. (2x2 - 5y2)3
5. (x - 1/3)3
The Square of a Polynomial
The square of a polynomial is equal to the sum of
the square of each of its terms plus twice the
algebraic product of each term by every term that
follows it in the polynomial.
The rule applies even if the polynomial has more
than three terms.
The Square of a Polynomial
Example 1.
(x + y + z)2 = [(x + y) + z]2
= (x + y)2 + 2(x + y)(z) + z2
= (x2 + 2xy + y2) + 2(xz + yz) + z2
= x2 + 2xy + y2 + 2xz + 2yz + z2
= x2 + y2 + z2 + 2xy + 2xz + 2yz
The Square of a Polynomial
Example 2.
(2a- 3b - 5c)2 = [(2a - 3b) - 5c]2
= (2a - 3b)2 + 2(2a - 3b)(-5c) + (-5c)2
= (2a)2 + 2(2a)(-3b) + (-3b)2 + (4a - 6b)(-5c) + (-5c)2
= 4a2 - 12ab + 9b2 - 20ac + 30bc + 25c2
The Square of a Polynomial
Example 3.
(a + b + c + d)2 = [(a + b + c) + d]2
= (a + b + c)2 + 2(a + b + c)(d) + d2
= [(a + b) + c]2 + 2(ad + bd + cd) + d2
= (a + b)2 + 2(a + b)(c) + c2 + 2(ad + bd + cd) + d2
= a2 + 2ab + b2 + 2(ac + bc) + c2 + 2(ad + bd + cd) + d2
= a2 + 2ab + b2 + 2ac + 2bc + c2 + 2ad + 2bd + 2cd + d2
= a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 + 2ab + 2ac + 2ad + 2bc + 2bd + 2cd
The Square of a Polynomial
Example 4:
(2x + 3y - 2w - 4z)2 = (2x)2 + (3y)2 + (-2w)2 + (-4z)2 +
2(2x)(3y) + 2(2x)(-2w) + 2(2x)(-4z) + 2(3y)(-2w) + 2(3y)
(-4z)+ 2(-2w)(-4z)
= 4x2 + 9y2 + 4w2 + 16z2 + 12xy - 8xw - 16xz - 12yw -
24yz + 16 wz
Exercises
Perform the indicated operation:
1. (c + 2d - a)2
2. (2y + w - 3z)2
3. (2a + 2b + 2)2
Other Types of Factoring
Factoring the Sum or Difference of Two Cubes
A binomial expressed as the sum (or the difference) of the
cubes of two numbers has two factors.
The first factor is a binomial containing the sum (or the
difference) of the cube roots of the two numbers.
The second factor is a trinomial which contains the square of
the first cube root, minus (or plus) the product of the two
cube roots plus the square of the second cube root.
Factoring the Sum or Difference of Two
Cubes
Formula::
x3 + y3 = (x + y)(x2 – xy + y2)
x3 – y3 = (x – y)(x2 + xy + y2)
Remark:
The sign of the middle term in the second factor is
opposite to the sign in between the two terms in the first
factor.
Factoring the Sum or Difference of
Two Cubes
Examples:
1. a3 + 8 = (a + 2)[(a)2 - (a)(2) + (2)2]
= (a + 2)(a2 - 2a + 4)
2. 27a3 - 64b6 = (3a - 4b2)[(3a)2 + (3a)(4b2) + (-4b2)2
= (3a - 4b2)(9a2 + 12ab2 + 16b4)
3. 8x3 + 27y3 = (2x + 3y)[(2x)2 - (2x)(3y) + (3y)2]
= (2x + 3y)(4x2 - 6xy + 9y2)
Factoring the Sum or Difference of
Two Cubes
Examples:
4. a12 - 8b6 = (a4 - 2b2)[(a4)2 + (a4)(2b2) + (-2b2)2]
= (a4 - 2b2)(a8 + 2a4b2 + 4b4)
5. x6 - y6 = (x2 - y2)[(x2)2 + (x2)(y2) + (-y2)2]
= (x2 - y2)(x4 + x2y2 + y4)
= (x + y)(x - y)(x4 + x2y2 + y4)
Exercises
Factor the following expressions:
1. a3 + b3
2. x3 - 8y3
3. 27x3 - 512y3
4. x 6 - y3
5. x12 - y9
Factoring Binomials of the Form
an ± bn where n is odd
When n is an odd integer, one factor of an + bn (or an - bn) is a
+ b (or a - b).
The polynomial factor is in descending powers of a and
ascending powers of b.
When the binomial factor is a + b, the signs in the
polynomial factor alternate.
When the binomial factor is a - b, all the signs in the
polynomial factor are positive.
Factoring Binomials of the Form
an ± bn where n is odd
Examples:
1. a5 + b5 = (a + b)(a4 - a3b + a2b2 - ab3 + b4)
2. a7 - 128 = (a - 2)(a6 + 2a5 + 4a4 + 8a3 +
16a2 + 32a + 64)
General Suggestions for Factoring
1. First look for a common monomial factor (other than 1) and
separate the expression into its monomial factor and the
corresponding polynomial factor.
2. Study the polynomial factor after the monomial factors are
removed.
3. Determine to which type of factoring it should be classed
and then use the methods of factoring applicable to that type.
4. Continue with step 2 until all the factors obtained are
prime factors.
Factoring Completely
An algebraic expression may have more than two factors.
When two factors have been found, each should be
inspected to see whether further factoring is possible.
With proper groupings, an expression can also be
factored applying the different types of factoring we have
already studied.
Factoring Completely
Examples:
1. 6a3b + 3a2b2 - 18ab3
= 3ab (2a2 + ab - 6b2) Common monomial factor
= 3ab (2a - 3b)(a + 2b) Quadratic trinomial
2. 4x3 - 12x2 - x + 3
= (4x3 - 12x2) - (x - 3) Grouping
= 4x2 (x - 3) - 1(x - 3)
= (4x2 - 1)(x - 3)
= (2x + 1)(2x - 1)(x - 3) Difference of Squares
Factoring Completely
Examples:
3. a2 + ab - 2b2 + 2a - 2b
= (a2 + ab - 2b2) + (2a - 2b) Grouping
= (a + 2b)(a - b) + 2(a - b) Quadratic trinomial
= (a + 2b + 2)(a - b)
4. 4c2 - a2 + 2ab - b2
= 4c2 - (a2 - 2ab + b2) Perfect square trinomial
= 4c2 - (a - b)2
= [2c + (a - b)][2c - (a - b)] Difference of squares
= (2c + a - b)(2c - a + b)
Exercises
Determine the products:
1. (3x + 2)(c - 3) 2. (2s - 9)(3x + 7) 3. (6t + 5)(5t - 4)
4. (5a - 2b)2 5. (5r + 7s)2 6. (8p - 3q)2
7. (2a + b)3 8. (2x - 3y)3 9. (z + 3)3
10. (2m + 5)(2m - 5) 11. (2x + 9y2)(2x - 9y2)
Exercise 1
x y x y
12. 3 5 3 5
13. (y2 - 2y + 7)2
14. [(a2 - 5) + a][(a2 - 5) - a]
15. [2(x + y) - 3][3(x + y) + 5]
16. (x3 + x2 - 2x + 1)2
17. (a - 2b - c + 3d)2
18. (4w - 2x + 3y - z)2
Exercise 2
Factor the following algebraic expressions:
1. b2 - 8bc + 12c2 2.30u2 - 13up - 56p2
3. 10x2 + 7x(2y - 3z) - 12(2y - 3z)2 4.9a2 + 6ab + b2
5. 25r2 - 30rs + 9s2 6. 16p2 + 56pq + 49q2
7. 36c8 - 49d6 8. 100u10 - 49v12
9. 144a16 - 25b14 10. k9p3 + 216
11. 125m9t6 - 812. 27x15y12 - 64
Exercise 2 (continuation)
13. 3x2 - 9x - 30 14. 2a2 + 10a - 12
15. 5c2 + 5c - 60 16. m2n - n2 + 3m2p - 3np
17. x2 - 4y2 + 12yz - 9z2 18. w2 - 9x2 - 24xy - 16y2
19. 9r4 + 30r2s2 + 25s4 20. u4 - 10u2v2 + 25v4
21. 4p4 + 16p2q2 + 16q4
