Module 5

Factoring
Polynomials
 Objectives

At the end of the learning period you are expected to:

1. factor polynomials.
 Factoring Polynomials
Recall that factoring an expression means
finding all the prime factors of the given
product. If the only factors of the
polynomial are the polynomial itself and
1, then the polynomial is said to be prime.
 Factoring Polynomials
Linear - 1
Quadratic - 2
Cubic - 3
Example
Factor the given polynomial completely.
5 4 3
𝑎. −6 𝑥 −15 𝑥 +9 𝑥
Solution
Common monomial factor: −6 𝑥 5 − 15 𝑥 4 + 9 𝑥 3 =−3 𝑥 3 (2 𝑥 2 +5 𝑥 −
¿ −3 𝑥 3 (2 𝑥 −1)(𝑥 +3)
−6 𝑥 5 − 15 𝑥 4 + 9 𝑥 3 =3 𝑥3 ( −2 𝑥 2 −5 𝑥 +3 )
¿ 3 𝑥 ( − 2 𝑥 − 5 𝑥 +3 )
3 2
5 4 3 3
Thus,  the complete  factorization of − 6𝑥 −15𝑥 +9𝑥  is  −3𝑥 (2𝑥−1)(𝑥+3).
Note that the trinomial is not prime; hence
it can still be factored.
Example
Factor the given polynomial completely.
4 2
b . 2 𝑥 − 21 𝑥 + 27
Solution
The polynomial can be transformed into a quadratic
trinomial by letting .
2
The resulting trinomial is factorable. But  𝑥 −9 can still be factored into ( 𝑥+3)( 𝑥−3) .
2 𝑥 4 − 21 𝑥 2+ 27=2𝑢 2 − 21𝑢+27
¿ (2 𝑢 − 3 )(𝑢 − 9)
Since
2 𝑥 4 − 21 𝑥 2+ 27= ( 2𝑢 − 3 ) ( 𝑢 − 9 )
¿ (2 𝑥 2 − 3 ) ( 𝑥 2 − 9 )
 Example
Factor the given polynomial completely.
10 6 4
𝑐 . 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 𝑥 +1
Solution
Factoring by grouping and common monomial factoring are powerful techniques.

𝑥10 − 𝑥6 − 𝑥 4 +1=( 𝑥10 − 𝑥 6 ) −(𝑥 ¿¿ 4 −1)¿

6
( 4
¿ 𝑥 𝑥 −1 −(𝑥 − 1)) 4

¿( 𝑥 4 − 1 )(𝑥 6 − 1 )
¿( 𝑥 2+1)( 𝑥2 −1)( 𝑥3 +1)(𝑥 3 −1)
¿( 𝑥 2+1)( 𝑥+1)(𝑥 −1)(𝑥 2 − 𝑥+1)(𝑥 −1)(𝑥 2 +𝑥 +1)
Polynomial
Factored Form
Leading Coefficient 1
Constant Term -24
Polynomial
Factored Form
Leading Coefficient 1
Constant Term -30
Polynomial
Factored Form
Leading Coefficient 1
Constant Term -12
Polynomial
Factored Form
Leading Coefficient 2
Constant Term 3
Polynomial
Factored Form
Leading Coefficient
Constant Term 3
8
Example
Let
Solution
Since the leading coefficient is , the factors are of the form .
Since the constant term is the possible factors are

Using the Factor Theorem, test which of these possibilities are the three factors of

Test for
𝑝 ( 2 ) =¿
¿ 8+ 8− 2 − 2 Since is not a factor.
¿ 12
Example
Let
Solution
Since the leading coefficient is , the factors are of the form .
Since the constant term is the possible factors are

Using the Factor Theorem, test which of these possibilities are the three factors of

Test for
𝑝 ( 1 ) =¿
¿ 1 +2 − 1 − 2 Since is a factor.
¿ 0
Example
Let
Solution
Since the leading coefficient is , the factors are of the form .
Since the constant term is the possible factors are

Using the Factor Theorem, test which of these possibilities are the three factors of

Test for
𝑝 ( − 1 ) =¿
¿ − 1+2+1− 2 Since is a factor.
¿ 0
Example
Let
Solution
Since the leading coefficient is , the factors are of the form .
Since the constant term is the possible factors are

Using the Factor Theorem, test which of these possibilities are the three factors of

Test for
𝑝 ( − 1 ) =¿
¿ − 1+2+1− 2 Since is a factor.
¿ 0
Example
Let
Solution
Since the leading coefficient is , the factors are of the form .
Since the constant term is the possible factors are

Using the Factor Theorem, test which of these possibilities are the three factors of

Test for
𝑝 ( − 2 )= ¿
Since is a factor. Hence,
¿ − 8+ 8+2 − 2
¿ 0
Example
b. Let
Solution
The possible factors are
𝑃 ( 6 )= ¿
𝑃 ( 3 )= ¿
𝑃 ( 2 ) =¿ 3 2
𝑃 ( 1 ) =¿
𝑃 ( − 1 ) =¿
Therefore,  𝑥 −4𝑥 +𝑥+6=( 𝑥−3)(𝑥 −2)(𝑥 +1) .
𝑃 ( − 2 )= ¿
𝑃 ( − 3 ) =¿
𝑃 ( − 6 ) =¿
-Mrs. Mascardo