CHAPTER 1

Factoring Polynomials

This chapter discusses the different types of factoring techniques. These includes common monomial
factoring, factoring by grouping, factoring general quadratic trinomials and factoring special
products such as the difference of two squares, perfect square trinomials and the sum or difference of
two cubes.
 LESSON 1

Factoring by the Greatest Common Factor

• This lesson introduces factoring as the inverse of multiplication of polynomials.

• It demonstrate how to factor polynomials by identifying the greatest common factor and pulling it out of
the polynomial expression.
• This greatest common factor maybe a monomial, a binomial, or a polynomial
 OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

• factor completely different types of polynomials with a common monomial factor

• factor completely different types of polynomials with a common binomial factor

• factor completely by grouping

• Solve problems involving factors of polynomials

 Architect Erwin was tasked
to design a rectangular garden
with a surrounding walkway for
his client.
He was given a total area of
96 square meters (m2) to work
on.
• What are the possible
dimensions of the garden?
 Knowing the possible dimensions of the garden allows Erwin to plan for the amount of materials
needed for the walkway around the garden. Here are some possible dimensions that he proposed:

Area Dimensions Perimeter

(in square meters) (in meters) (in meters)
96 96 by 1 2(96) + 2(1) = 194
96 48 by 2 2(48) + 2(2) = 100

How do you think Erwin planned the dimensions of the rectangular garden?
Can you give other possible dimensions of the garden?
Which dimensions would give the least possible perimeter?
 Why knowing the least possible perimeter is important?
• To help minimize the cost of building the surrounding walkway.

Aside from whole numbers , algebraic expressions also used to represent areas and dimensions.

Example , if the dimensions of a rectangular garden are x + 3 and x + 4,

then the area of the garden is x2 + 7x + 12 square units.

• in this example , x + 3 and x + 4, are the factors of .x2 + 7x + 12

A prime factor is a natural number, other than 1,
whose only factors are 1 and itself. The first few
prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, and so on.
Factoring is the process of writing polynomials as a product of two or more numbers or terms,

x2 + 7x + 12 = (x + 3) (x + 4)
product factors
One technique to write a polynomial expression in factored form is to look for its greatest common
factor (GCF).
- this GCF is factored out and multiplied to the remaining terms in the expression.
Example #1: Express as a product of two or more terms.

1. 6x - 9
2. 4y5 - 24y3
3. 15ab2 + 10a2b
4. 50u4v3w4 - 35u2v4w3 + 60u3v5w2

Common monomial factoring is the process of writing a polynomial by factoring out a monomial factor
common to all the terms.
Factored completely is called if each of the factors cannot be factored any further.
Prime polynomials is called if the only factor of a polynomial are 1 and itself
Example: 2x2 + 14x + 3

Exercise #1: Express as a product of two or more terms.

1. 12x + 4
2. -39m5 + 26m2
3. 21u3v7 + 7u2v5
4. 22a10b6c9 + 55a9b10c4 - 99a7b8c6

Is it possible to have a common factor that is not a monomial?

Example#2: Express as a product of two or Exercise#2: Express as a product of two or

more terms. more terms.

1. 2b(x + 3) - 5(x + 3) 1. 3y(7 + x) - 2(x + 7)

2. (mn + 1)(y - 2) + (n - 1)(y - 2) 2. (c - 2)(w + 1) + (2c - 3)(w + 1)
3. d(a + b - c) + 6(a + b - c) 3. 8w(ax - by + cz) - 8(ax - by + cz)
 • There are instances when the terms of polynomials are not grouped in parenthesis.
When multiplying this kind of polynomial, the terms with common factors are grouped together so that
the common factors in each group can be factored out. This process is called factoring by grouping.

• Steps in factoring an expression by

grouping
1. Group the first and last two terms of the expression such that each group has a common factor.
2. Factor each group.
3. Factor out the common binomial.

Example#3: Factor the following:

1. ab + ac + 3b + 3c
2. xy2 - 2x - y3 + 2y

Exercise#3: Factor the following:

1. mn + mp + 2n + 2p
2. 2kh + 6h - k2 - 3k
 Homework #1
Answer your assignment in genyo about