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Counseling Time : 10:00-11:00, 3:00-5:00 Tuesday,
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Module 0b
Factoring
Factoring

When an algebraic expression is the product of two or more other expressions, each
of these expressions is said to be a factor of the given expression.
The process of finding the factors of which a given expression is called factoring the
expression.
An expression is irreducible, or prime, if it cannot be expressed as the product of
two polynomials of lower degree and if the coefficients have no common factor.
Skill in factoring depends upon the ability to recognize certain types of products.
 TYPES OF FACTORING

I. Common Factor
II. Quadratic trinomial
III. Perfect Squares Trinomials
IV. Difference of Two Squares
V. Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
VI. Sum and Difference of Two Odd Power Binomials not Divisible by 3
VII. Difference of Two Even Powers Greater Than 2
VIII.Grouping
IX. Reducible to Difference of Two Squares
I. Factoring by Taking out the Greatest
Common Factor (GCF)
In factoring polynomials, look for common factors among the terms of the polynomial and
factor them out first.
Distributive property is used to factor out the common factor.
Example: Factor the given expressions by taking out the GCF.
1.

2.

3.
II. Factoring Quadratic Trinomials

If a quadratic trinomial has no common monomial factor and if this trinomial is factorable,
it must be factored as a product of two binomials.
Examples: Factor the given trinomials:
1. 2. 3. 4.
Solutions:
(recalling FOIL: F = L = 5, O + I = -6a

or
middle term: 6a middle term: -6a
Thus, factors of are
II. Factoring Quadratic Trinomials

Example 2:
Solutions:
(recalling FOIL: F = L = -6 O + I =

There are six possibilities:

Of these possibilities gives the middle term

Thus the factors of are
II. Factoring Quadratic Trinomials

Example 3:
Solutions:
(recalling FOIL: F = L= O+I=
What are the possibilities?
II. Factoring Quadratic Trinomials

Example 4:
Solutions:
(recalling FOIL: F = L = 15 O+I=
What are the possibilities?
 III. Factoring Perfect Squares Trinomial

Factors of perfect trinomial squares are the squares of the sum of the square roots of the first and the
last term.
Perfect trinomial squares can be factored according to the following formulas:

Factor the given trinomials:

1. 2. 3. 4.
Solutions:
1.
and , then
 III. Factoring Perfect Squares Trinomial

2.
Solutions:
and , then

3.

4.
 IV. Factoring the Difference of Two Squares

is the formula for factoring the difference of two squares.

Factor the given expressions using difference of two squares.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Solutions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
 V. Factors of the Sum or the Difference of Two
Cubes
Two other factoring types are the sum of two cubes and the difference of two cubes. Factoring
this type, follow a definite pattern.

Factor the following expressions:

1. 2. 3. 4.
Solutions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
VI. Factors of the Sum and Difference of Two
Odd Powers not Divisible by 3.
This type can be factored by following a definite pattern like sum and difference of two cubes.

Factor the following expressions:

1. 2. 3. 4.
Solutions:
1. )
2.
3.
4.
VII. Factors of the Difference of Two Even
Powers Greater Than 2
Difference of two even powers greater than 2 can be reduced to difference of two squares.
Examples: Obtain factors of the following expressions.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Solutions:
1.
=
=
2.
VII. Factors of the Difference of Two Even
Powers Greater Than 2
Difference of two even powers greater than 2 can be reduced to difference of two squares.
Solutions:
3.
=
=
4.
VIII. Factoring by Grouping

The terms in a polynomial can be grouped in such a way that each group has a common
factor, and then other methods can be applied. By grouping other polynomials can be
reduced to a difference of two squares.
Examples: Factor the following expressions:
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
Solutions:
1.
VIII. Factoring by Grouping

The terms in a polynomial can be grouped in such a way that each group has a common
factor, and then other methods can be applied. By grouping other polynomials can be
reduced to a difference of two squares.
Solutions:
2.

3.
VIII. Factoring by Grouping

The terms in a polynomial can be grouped in such a way that each group has a common
factor, and then other methods can be applied. By grouping other polynomials can be
reduced to a difference of two squares.
Solutions:
4.

5.

6.
IX. Factoring an Expression Reducible to a Difference of Two
Squares
It is possible to convert a trinomial into the difference of two squares by adding and subtracting a monomial that
is a perfect square.
Examples: Find the factors of the following expressions:
1. 2. 3. 4.
Solutions:
1.
Step 1: Use properties of perfect trinomial square and verify to determine:
(middle term)
Step 2: Add and subtract and form perfect trinomial square

Step 3: Reduce the expression to difference of two squares.

Step 4: Factor completely.

Rearranging the terms,

IX. Factoring an Expression Reducible to a Difference of Two
Squares
It is possible to convert a trinomial into the difference of two squares by adding and subtracting a
monomial that is a perfect square.
Solutions:
2.
Step 1: Use properties of perfect trinomial square and verify to determine:
(middle term)
Step 2: Add and subtract and form perfect trinomial square

Step 3: Reduce the expression to difference of two squares.

Step 4: Factor completely.

Rearranging the terms,

IX. Factoring an Expression Reducible to a Difference of
Two Squares

It is possible to convert a trinomial into the difference of two squares by adding and
subtracting a monomial that is a perfect square.
Solutions:
3.

4.