CHAPTER 1.

FACTORING POLYNOMIALS

Lesson 1: Common Monomial Factor

Lesson 2. Difference of Two Squares
Lesson 3: Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
Lesson 4. Perfect Square Trinomials
Lesson 5: General Trinomials
Lesson 6. Solve Problems Involving Factoring Polynomials

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
a. factor completely different types of polynomial (polynomials with common monomial factor,
difference of two squares, sum and difference of two squares, perfect square trinomial, general
trinomials; and,
b. solve problems involving factoring of polynomials.

INTRODUCTION

Factoring is the reverse process of multiplication. When a number or polynomial is factored, it

is written as the product of two or more factors. A polynomial is factored completely if each of its
factors can no longer be expressed as product of two other polynomials of lower degree and that the
coefficients have no common factor.
Factoring is a technique used in solving quadratic equations, simplifying rational expressions
and graphing functions.
Before proceeding to your Lesson 1, consider the example how factoring works. Let 12 be the
number you chose. In the idea of factoring, this is the same as finding numbers that can divide 12.
You may express 12 as 2 multiplied by 6 or 3 multiplied by 4. However, factoring does not end there.
If the factors of 12 can still be expressed as factors you must do so. In an instance where 12 is
expressed as 2 multiplied by 6, 6 can still be factored and expressed as 2 multiplied by 3. Same with
12 expressed as 3 multiplied by 4, where 4 can still be expressed as 2 multiplied by 2. In that sense,
we can expressed we can express 12 as 2 multiplied by 2 multiplied by 3.

12 = (2)(6) 12= (3)(4)

12= (2) (2)(3) 12 = (3)(2)(2)
 Lesson 1. Common Monomial Factor
If each term of a polynomial is divisible by the same monomial, this monomial is referred
to as a common factor. The polynomial, the, is equal to the common monomial factor times the
quotient obtained by dividing the polynomial by the common monomial factor.

Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

The greatest common factor is the largest number that a set of numbers of polynomials have in
common.

EXAMPLE Find the GCF of 14 x 2 y 2 ,2 x3 y 3 ,18 xy

SOLUTION Express each as product of prime factors.
14 x 2 y 2 =( 2 )( 7 )( x )( x ) ( y ) ( y) Notice that among the prime factor of the
3 3
2 x y =( 2 ) ( x )( x ) ( x ) ( y )( y ) ( y ) monomials, the common factor is 2xy. Thus the
18 xy=( 2 ) ( 3 ) (3 )( x ) ( y ) GCF of these three monomials is 2xy.

EXAMPLE Find the GCF of 18 a3 b3 c 3 ,30 a 2 b2 , 54 a2 b3 c 2

SOLUTION Express each as product of prime factors.
18 a3 b3 c 3=( 2 ) ( 3 ) (3 )( a )( a )( a )( b )( b )( b ) ( c )( c ) ( c )
30 a2 b2 c=( 2 ) ( 3 ) (5 )( a )( a )( b )( b )( c )
54 a 2 b 3 c 2=2 ¿(3)(3)(3)(a)( a)(b)(b)(b)(c )(c)
Thus, the GCF is ( 2 ) ( 3 )( a )( a ) ( b ) ( b ) ( c )=6 a2 b2 c

Common Monomial Factoring

1. Find the greatest common factor of the terms in the polynomial. This is the first factor.
2. Divide each term by the GCF to get the other factor.

EXAMPLE Factor 5m – 5n.

SOLUTION 5m = (5)(m)
-5n = (-1)(5)(n) Step 1
5 m−5 n
Step 2
5
5(m-n) Thus, 5m – 5n = 5(m-n).

TRY THIS Factor 5x – 45 .

EXAMPLE Factor 7 a3 – 14 a4 +35 a 5

SOLUTION 7 a3 =( 7 ) ( a ) ( a ) ( a )
-14a^4= (-2)(7)(a)(a)(a)(a)
35 a5 =( 5 )( 7 )( a )( a )( a )( a )( a ) Step 1
7 a3 – 14 a 4 +35 a5
Step 2
7 a3
7 a3 ( 1−2a+ 5 a2 ) Thus, 7 a3 – 14 a4 +35 a 5=7 a3 ( 1−2a+ 5 a2 )

TRY THIS 10 j 2 k – 15 j 2 k 3 – 25 j 3 k 4
EXERCISE 1

Name: ______________________________________ Date: __________

1. Find the GCF of the following.

a. x 3 y 2

b. 12 a b2 , 40 a3 , 60 a2 b

c. −9 ywz ,−18 yw ,−36 y 2

2. Factor the following polynomials.

a. 7 x 4 y 4 +35 x 5 y 5 +105 x 6 y 6

b. 6 m n4 +18 m5 n5 +12m4 n 5 – 18 m3 n3
Lesson 2. Factoring the Difference of Two Squares

Factoring the difference of two squares is a special type of factoring problem often used in
mathematics. Recall that the product of sum and difference of the same two terms equals the
difference of two squares.

The product of a sum and difference of the same two terms equals the difference of two squares.
( a+ b ) ( a – b )=( a 2 – b2 )

Factoring the Difference of Two Squares

1. Get the principal root of each of the two squares.
2. Using these square roots, form two factors, one a sum, and the other a difference.

EXAMPLE Factor 4 x2 – 81 y 2
SOLUTION ( 2 x )2 – ( 9 y ) 2 Step 1
(2x + 9y)(2x – 9) Step 2

TRY THIS x 2 – 25

EXAMPLE Factor ( 49 – 64 x 2 y 2 )
SOLUTION ( 7 )2 – ( 8 xy )2 Step 1
(7 + 8xy)( 7 – 8xy) Step 2

TRY THIS a4 – b4

EXAMPLE Factor 625 a8 – 81b 4 completely.

2 2
SOLUTION ( 25 a 4 ) – ( 9 b 2) Step 1
4 2 4 2
( 25 +9 b ) ( 25 a – 9 b ) Step 2. Since (25a^4 – 9b^2) is a
difference of two squares, repeat steps 1 and 2.
2 2
( 25 a 4 +9 b2 ) (( 5 a2 ) – ( 3 b ) ) Step 1
( 25 a 4 +9 b2 ) ( 5 a2 +3 b )( 5 a2 – 3 b ) Step 2

TRY THIS x8 – y8

EXAMPLE Factor 20 x 3−45 x

SOLUTION 5 x ( 4 x2 – 9) Common monomial factoring.
5 x ( ( 2 x )2 – ( 3 ) 2 ) Step 1
5 x ( 2 x+ 3 )( 2 x – 3 x ) Step 2

TRY THIS 20 x – 5 x 3
EXERCISE 2

Name: _______________________________________ Date: _____________

Factor each of the following completely.

1. 16 y 2 – 81 y 2 2. 2 x5 – 162 x

3. 4 p 4 – 49 x 2 4. x 2 y 2 – a 2 b 2
Lesson 3. Factoring Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

Sum and difference of two cubes are product of a binomial and a trinomial.

Sum of Two Cubes Difference of Two Cubes

a + b =( a+ b ) ( a2 – ab +b2 )
3 3
a −b =( a−b ) ( a +ab+ b2 )
3 3 2

Factoring Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

1. Get the cube root of each cube.√3 a = a , √3 b = b
2. Using operation between the cubes, obtain a binomial factor using the cube roots of in step 1. ( a+ b )
or (a – b)
3. Form the second trinomial factor as follows:
a. Square the first cube root. ( a )2 =a2
b. Multiply the two cube roots. ( a )( b )=ab
c. Square the second cube root. ( b )2 =b2

EXAMPLE x 3+ 8
SOLUTION ( x )3+ ( 2 )3 Step 1. Since √3 x 3 = x , √3 8 = 2
( x +2 ) Step 2
( x )2=x 2 Step 3a.
( x )( 2 ) =2 x Step 3b.
( 2 )2=4 Steb 3c.
( x +2 ) ( x 2 – 2 x+ 4 ) Rename each term as a sum of two cubes.

TRY THIS 8 x 3+ 27

EXAMPLE ( x−2 )3 – 8
3
SOLUTION ( x−2 )3 + ( 2 )3 Step 1. Since √ (x−2)3 = (x – 2) , √3 8 = 2
( x−2 ) + 2 = x Step 2. Simplify if possible.
( x−2 )2=x 2−4 x +4 Step 3a.
( x−2 ) ( 2 )=2 x−4 Step 3b.
( 2 )2=4 Steb 3c.
x { ( x 2−4 x + 4 ) + 2 x−4+ 4 } Rename each term as difference of two cubes.
x ¿) Combine similar terms if possible.

TRY THIS ( a – 1 )3 −64

EXERCISE 3

Name:__________________________________________ Date: _________

1. 8 a3 +1 2. 512 – b3

2. 64 – ( a – b )3 3. ( p – 5 )3 +125
Lesson 4. Factoring Perfect Square Trinomial

The square of a binomial results in a perfect square trinomial (PST). That is,

( x + y )2=x 2+ 2 xy + y 2 ,∧( x− y )²=x ²−2 xy + y ²

Reversing the process gives

x 2+ 2 xy + y 2= ( x + y )2∨( x + y ) ( x+ y ) and

x ²−2 xy + y ²=( x+ y)²∨(x− y ) ¿) 

This suggests that in factoring perfect square trinomial, The result is the square of binomial.
However, it is important to check whether the trinomial is a PST or not.

EXAMPLE Determine whether y ² + 8y + 16 is a PST.

SOLUTION a. Is the first term a perfect square?
y ² =  (y)(y)  YES
b. Is the last term is a perfect square?
16 = (4)(4) YES
c. Is the middle term twice the product of the square root of y ² and 16?
2(4)( y) = 8y YES

Therefore, y ² + 8y + 16 is a PST.

TRY THIS a² + 10a +25

EXAMPLE Determine whether for X ²- 6xy + 9y² is a PST.

SOLUTION  a. Is the first term of perfect square?
4x ² = (2x)( 2x) YES 
b. is the last term of perfect square?
9y²= (3y)( 3y) YES
c. is the middle term twice the product of the square root or 4x ² and 9y ²?
2(2x)( 3y) = 12xy NO

Thus, 4x² - 6 x y + 9y ² is NOT a PST.

TRY THIS m ² - 10mn + 100n ²

 Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials
1. Get the square roots of the first and last terms
2. Use the sign of the middle term between face roots to form a binomial
3. Square the binomial in step 2.

EXAMPLE Factor x²-14 x + 49

SOLUTION √ x 2=x , √ 49=7 Step 1
(x-7) Step 2
(x- 7)² Step 3
Thus, x 2−14 x +49=( x−7 )2

TRY THIS x² + 10x + 25

EXAMPLE Factor a 2+16 ab+64 b 2

SOLUTION √ a2=x , √ 64 b2=8 b Step 1
(a + 8b) Step 2 
(a + 8b)² Step 3
Therefore, a² + 16ab + 64b² = (a + 8b)²

TRY THIS 16 x 2−72 xy + 81 y 2

EXAMPLE Factor 9 k 2+24 k +16

SOLUTION √ 9 k 2=3 k , √ 16=4 Step 1
(3k + 4) Step 2
( 3 k + 4 )2 Step 3
Hence, 9 k 2+24 k +16=( 3 k +4 )2

TRY THIS 9 m 2 – 120 m+ 400

EXAMPLE Factor 8 x 2 – 8 x+2

SOLUTION 2 ( 4 x 2 – 4 x+1 ) Factor any common monomial factor. 2 is the CMF.
2
√ 4 x =2 x , √1=1 Step 1
2(2x – 1) Step 2. And affix the common monomial factor.
2
2 (2 x – 1) Step 3
2 2
Thus, 8 x – 8 x+2=2 ( 2 x – 1 )

TRY THIS Factor 18 – 12 x+ 2 x 2

EXERCISE 4

Name: __________________________________________ Date: ___________

1. Determine whether the following trinomials are PST.

a. 36a² + 12a + 1

b. 9y²- 30y- 9

c. 4a² + 4a+ 1

B. Factor each PST

a. 16a²- 56a + 49 b. 49r²s² + 14rs + 1
Lesson 5. Factoring General Trinomials

A general trinomials is a second degree polynomial with three terms a general trinomials is a
second degree polynomial with three terms. This is of the form a x 2+ bx+ c , a, b, and c are non-zero
integral coefficients.

In factoring general trinomials, 2 cases are considered:

Case 1. A general trinomial where a = 1.
Case 2. A general trinomial where a ≠ 1.

Case 1. A general trinomial where a = 1

Examples of general trinomials where a ≠ 1 

x 2−4 x+ 4 x 2−7 x−18 x 2+ x−6

Factoring trinomials a x ² + bx + c where a = 1.
1. Find two factors of c whose sum equals b.
2. Using the form( x + _) ( x + _) fill this up with the two factors found in step 1.

EXAMPLE Factor x 2+ 4 x +4
SOLUTION In x 2+ 4 x +4 , c=4 , b=4
Factors of c = 4 sum of factors, b = 4
(1)(4) 1+4=5
(-1)(- 4) (- 1)+(-4)d =- 5
( 2)( 2) 2+2=4
(-2)(-2) (-2 ) +(-2 ) =- 4
The factors of c = 4 that give a sum of b = 4 are 2 and 2. Thus,
x 2+ 4 x +4= ( x +2 ) ( x+2 )

TRY THIS Factor x 2+ 5 x−6

EXAMPLE Factor x 2+ x−6

SOLUTION In x 2+ x−6 , c=−6 , b=1
Factors of c = -6 Sum of factors, b = 1 
(-1)( + 6) (-1) + 6 = 5
(1)(-6) 1+(-6) = -5
(-2)(3) (-2)+3 = 1
( 2)(-3) 2 +(-3) = -1
The factors of c = -6 that give a sum of b = 1 are -2 and 3. Hence,
x 2+ x – 6=( x – 2 ) ( x +3 )

TRY THIS Factor x 2+ 6 xy – 16 y 2

Case 2. A general trinomial where a ≠ 1.
Examples of general trinomials where a not equal are 3x ² + 5x r2, 3x ² + 6x- 24, 8 x ²- 10 x + 3

Factoring Trinomials ax² + bx + c, where a≠ 1

1. Factor out any common monomial factor
2. List all factors of a and c.
3. Try and check combination of the factors of a and c until the correct middle term, bx is obtained.

EXAMPLE Factor 4 x2 +8 x +4
SOLUTION 4 ( x 2+2 x +1 ) . Step 1. The common monomial factor is 4.
4 ( x 2+2 x +1 )
Factors of a =1 : ± 1
Factors of c = 1 : ± 1Step 2. Note: Since c > 0, the second terms of binomial
factors must have the same sign. That is, (ax + b)(cx + d) or
(ax – b)(cx – d)
Possible Factors of Outer Terms Inner Terms Sum of Products
2
x + 2 x +1 (Middle Term)
(ax +b)(cx + d) (ax)(d) = (ad)x (cx)(b)=(bc)x (ad)x + (bc)x = (ad +bc)x
(x + 1)(x +1) x x 2x
(x – 1)(x – 1) -x -x -2x

The factors that give middle term 2x are 1 and 1. Thus,

4(x² + 2x + 1) = 4(x + 1)(x+1)

TRY THIS 4 x2 +22 x+ 24

EXAMPLE Factor 8 x 2−10 x+3

SOLUTION In 8 x 2−10 x+3 a = 8, b = -10, c = 3
Skip step 1 since there is no common monomial factor.
Factors of a = 8: ± 8 ,± 4 , ±2 , ±1
Factors of c = 3: , ± 3 ,± 1 Step 2. Note: Since c > 0, the second terms of
binomial factors must have the same sign.
That is, (ax + b)(cx + d) or (ax – b)(cx – d).

Possible Factors of Outer Terms Inner Terms Sum of Products

8 x 2−10 x+ 3 (Middle Term)
(ax +b)(cx + d) (ax)(d) = (ad)x (cx)(b)=(bc)x (ad)x + (bc)x = (ad +bc)x
(8x + 3)(x +1) 8x 3x 11x
(8x -3)(x -1) -8x -3x -11x
(8x +1)(x +3) 24x x 25x
(8x-1)(x – 3) -24x -x -25x
(4x + 3)(2x +1) 4x 6x 10x
(4x – 3)(x -1) -4x -6x -10x
(4x +1)(2x +3) 12x 2x 14x
(4x -1)(2x -3) -12x -2x -14x

The factors that give the middle term -10x are (4x -3) and (2x -1). Thus,
 8 x 2−10 x+3=( 4 x−3 ) (2 x−1)

EXAMPLE Factor 5 x 2−2 x −6

SOLUTION In 5 x 2−2 x −6 a = 5, b = -2, c = -6
2
5 x −2 x −6 Since no common monomial factor, proceed to step 2.
Factors of a = 5: ± 5 ,± 1
Factors of c = -6: ± 6 , ±3 , ±2 , ± 1 Step 2. Note: Since c < 0, the second terms of
binomial factors must have the same
sign. That is, (ax + b)(cx – d).
Possible Factors of Outer Terms Inner Terms Sum of Products
5 x 2−2 x−6 (Middle Term)
(ax +b)(cx + d) (ax)(d) = (ad)x (cx)(b)=(bc)x (ad)x + (bc)x = (ad +bc)x
(5x + 1)(x – 6) -30x x -29x
(5x – 6)(x + 1) 5x -6x -x
(5x + 3)(x -2) -10x 3x -7x
(5x – 2)(x +3) 15x -2x 13x
(5x + 2)(x -3) -15x 2x -13x
(5x -3)(x +2) 10x -3x 7x
(5x – 1)(x + 6) 30x -x 29x

After all the trials, there were no factors that give the middle term which is -2x. Thus, the given
trinomial is not factorable.
The discriminant determines whether the trinomial ax^2+bx + c has factors. The discriminant D
is a real number and defined by the equation D = b^2 – 4ac.

Test for Factorability of Trinomial of the Form a x 2+ bx+ c

A general trinomial of the form a x 2+ bx+ c is factorable if and only if b 2 – 4 ac is a perfect square.

Observe how the value of D of factorable trinomials differs from D of non-factorable trinomials.
2
a x + bx+ c a b c D=b2 – 4 ac Factored
2 2 2
x −8 x +12 1 -8 12 16=(−8 ) – 4 ( 1 )( 12 )=4 (x – 2)(x – 6)
2
x + 7 x +12 1 7 2
12 1=( 7 ) – 4 ( 1 ) ( 12 )=1 2
(x + 3)(x +4)
2 2 2
2 x +13 x +6 2 13 6 121=( 13 ) – 4 ( 2 ) ( 6 )=11 (2x +1)(x +6)
15 x 2+17 x−4 15 17 -4 529= (17 )2 – 4 ( 15 ) (−4 )=232 (3x +4)(5x – 1)
2 2
2 x −13 x +12 2 -13 12 73=(−13 ) – 4 ( 2 ) ( 12 ) Not factorable
2
6 x −3 x−4 6 -3 2
-4 105= (−3 ) – 4 ( 6 )(−4 ) Not factorable
2 2
x + 2 x +5 1 2 5 16=( 2 ) – 4 ( 1 ) ( 5 ) Not factorable

TRY THIS Determine whether the trinomials are factorable or not by discriminant.
a. 2 x2 – 13 x +12
b. 6 x 2 – 3 x −4
EXERCISE 5

Name: _________________________________________ Date: _____________

A. Factor the following trinomials.

a. a 2+14 a+13 b. 6+5 x + x 2

c. 6 y 2−11 y +5 d. 2 y 2 – 5 y −12

B. Determine whether the trinomials are factorable or not by discriminant.

a. x 2+ 2 x +5

b. x 2+ 2 x +2

c. s2 +4 s−2
Lesson 6. Problems Involving Factoring Polynomials
Many problems in Math especially when you’re taking exams involve areas like functions,
sequences and series and the like. But, little did you know that some of these problems involve
polynomials – graphing, finding the zeros, and factoring.
In this lesson, you will encounter some problems, you did not notice, involve factoring
polynomials. Problems in real life that actually use the idea of factoring polynomials.

EXAMPLE Mang Juan has a rectangular lawn which he wants to be fenced. The area of this lawn
measures x 2 – 4 x +3 m 2. What could be dimension of the lawn?
SOLUTION Note that the area is trinomial where a ¿1. So, we can use the steps in factoring
trinomials where a = 1.
2
In x – 4 x +3 c = 3 , and b = -4
Factors of c = 3 Sum of factors, b = -4
(1)(3) 1+3 = 4
(-1)(-3) (-1) + (-3) = -4
The factors that give the sum of -4 are -1 and -3. Thus, the dimension of the lawn is
(x -1)m by (x -3)m.

EXAMPLE Mr. Santos wants to sell his square lot with an area of 9 x 2−24 x +16 sq. units. What
is the length of the side of the lot?
SOLUTION Know that the lot is of square shape and the area of a square equals the square of its
side. This suggests that the trinomial is a perfect square trinomial (PST). So,we
can make use of the steps in factoring perfect square trinomials.
2
√ 9 x =3 x √ 16=4 Get the square root of the first and last terms.
(3x – 4) Use the sign of the middle term to form the binomial
factor. Since -24x is the middle term, the sign is
negative.
(3x -4)^2 Square the binomial factor.
9x^2 -24x + 16 =(3x -4)^2
Since we only the length of the side of the lot, the answer is (3x -4).
BRAIN TEASER

Name: ____________________________________ Date: ________________

A MESSAGE FROM THE KING

In this activity, you will be decoding the message of the king. Match the product of polynomial in
Column PRINCE to the factors in Column CHARMING.

PRINCE CHARMING
2
1.12 x – 20 x A. 3 x y 2 ( 2 x + y 2 – 1 )
2. 6 x 2 y 2 +3 x y 3 – 3 x y2 F. ( x−3 ) ( x 2+ 3 x +9 )
3. x 2 – y 2 G. ( 2 x+3 )( 2 x – 3 )
4.4 x2 – 9 R. (2 x+3 ¿ (2 x +3)
5. x 2 – 25 y 2 U.4 x ( 3 x−5 )
6. x 2+ 2 xy + y 2 E. ( 2 x – 1 ) ( 3 x+ 2 )
7. 4 x2 +12 x+ 9 T. ( a+ c )( b – d )
8. x 2 – 10 xy +25 y 2 S. ( m – n ) ( r + s )
9. x 2+ x – 12 C.( x + y )( x – y )
10. 6 x 2+ x – 2 I.( x +2 )( 2 x – 5 )
11.2 x2 – x – 10 O. ( x – 5 y )2
12. x3 – 27 N. ( x +4 )( x−3 )
13. x 3+ 27 H. ( x +3 ) ( x2 – 3 x +9 )
14. ac – ad +bc – bd M.( x + y )2
15. mr +ms – nr – ns L. ( x – 5 y )( x +5 y )
16.9 x 2 – 16 P. ( 3 x+ 4 )( 3 x – 4 )
17. 9 x 2 – 24 x+ 16 V. ( 3 x – 4 )( 3 x – 4 )