LP 1.

2
Factoring Polynomials
By: Ms. Tin
OBJECTIVES:
1.Factor polynomials with common
monomial factor.
2.Factor difference of two squares.
3.Factor perfect square trinomials.
4.Factor sum and difference of two cubes.
5. Factor quadratic trinomials.
6. Factor polynomials by grouping.
Overview:
Factoring polynomials is an
important skill that helps you
understand more about
equations. Factoring helps you
transform a complicated
polynomial into simpler products
of two or more polynomials.
 What you already know

Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

GIVE THE GREATEST The greatest common factor is the

COMMON FACTOR (GCF) OF largest number that a set or polynomial
THE GIVEN MONOMIALS.
have in common.
1. 35, 49, 77 2. 45,70,85
35 = 7 · 5 45 = 3 · 3 · 5

49 = 7 · 7 70 = 7 · 2 · 5

77 = 7 · 11 85 = 17 · 5
GCF = 7 GCF = 5
 Greatest Common Factor
(GCF)
+ ,
3. 𝑥 𝑦 , 𝑥,𝑦- The greatest common factor is the
largest number that a set or
GCF = 𝒙𝟓 𝒚𝟑 polynomial have in common.
4. 𝑥
$𝑦 %𝑧 %, 𝑥 &𝑦 '𝑧 (Note that the GCF of a set of
expressions in the form 𝒙𝒏 will
GCF = 𝒙𝟕 𝒚𝟐 𝒛 always be the exponent of lowest
* 𝑦 & , −18𝑥𝑦 % , −36𝑥 % 𝑦 * degree.)
5. 9𝑥

GCF = 𝟗𝒙𝒚𝟐
What you will know

Factoring is the reverse process of multiplication. When a number or a

polynomial is factored, it is rewritten as a product of two or more factors.
Factoring is a technique used in solving quadratic equations, simplifying
rational expressions and graphing quadratic equations. A polynomial is
said to be factored into prime factors if it is expressed as the product of
two or more irreducible polynomials of the same type. 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. If each term of a polynomial is divisible by the
same monomial, this common monomial referred to as a common factor.
 Factoring Common Monomial
Common Monomial Factoring
•Find the greatest common factor (GCF)
of the terms in the polynomial. This is
the first factor.
•Divide each term by the GCF to get the
other factor.
 Factoring Common Monomial
Example:
Factor each expression.
a. 𝟕𝒙𝟐 − 𝟕𝒚
Solution:
1. Find the greatest common factor 2. Divide each term by the
(GCF) of the terms in the GCF to get the other factor.
polynomial. #$ ! %#&
+ = 𝑥" − 𝑦
# #
• The GCF of 7𝑥 " and −7𝑦 is 7.
And this is the first factor. 𝟕𝒙𝟐 − 𝟕𝒚 = 𝟕 (𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚)
 Factoring Common Monomial
b. 𝟖𝒙𝟑 − 𝟏𝟔𝒙𝟒 + 𝟒𝟖𝒙𝟕
Solution:
1. The GCF of 2. Divide each term by the GCF to get
8𝑥 " , 16𝑥 # 𝑎𝑛𝑑 48𝑥 $ 𝑖𝑠 𝟖𝒙𝟑 the other factor.
. &'" ()'# #&'$
− + = 1 − 2𝑥 + 6𝑥 #
&'" &'" &'"

𝟒
𝟖𝒙𝟑 − 𝟏𝟔𝒙𝟒 + 𝟒𝟖𝒙𝟕 = 𝟖𝒙𝟑 (𝟏 − 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟔𝒙 )
 Exercise 1: Complete the table below.
Common Remaining Factored
Monomial Factor Form
Polynomial
Factor

1. 𝟔𝒂 − 𝟒𝟖

2. 𝟏𝟐𝒄 − 𝟐𝟖𝒅 + 𝟓𝟐

3. 𝟐𝟏𝒃 + 𝟔𝟑𝒃𝟐

4. −𝟒𝒆𝟐 + 𝟕𝒆𝟑 − 𝟗𝒆𝟒

5. 𝟏𝟖𝒎𝟒 𝒏𝟒 − 𝟔𝟑𝒎𝟓 𝒏𝟑 + 𝟏𝟏𝟕𝒎𝟔 𝒏𝟐

 Factoring Difference of Two Squares
𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒙 + 𝒚 (𝒙 − 𝒚)
Factoring Difference of Two Squares is the reverse of multiplying the sum and
difference of two same terms.
1. Get the principal square root of each of the two squares.
2. Using these square roots, form two factors, one a sum, and the other is
difference.
Example 1. Factor 𝑥 " − 36.

First term: 𝑥 % = 𝑥 Second term: 36 =6

Using 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 6, form the sum (𝑥 + 6), and the difference (𝑥 − 6).

Thus, 𝑥 % − 36 = 𝑥 + 6 (𝑥 − 6) .
 Factoring Difference of Two Squares 12

𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒙 + 𝒚 (𝒙 − 𝒚)

Example 2. Factor 16𝑎, 𝑏 , − 25𝑐 , . Factoring Difference of Two

Squares
16𝑎, 𝑏 , = 4𝑎𝑏 and 25𝑐 , = 5𝑐 1. Get the principal square root of
each of the two squares.
16𝑎, 𝑏 , − 25𝑐 , = ( ___ + ___ )( ___ - ___ ) 2. Using these square roots, form
two factors, one a sum, and the
16𝑎, 𝑏 , − 25𝑐 , = (𝟒𝒂𝒃 + 𝟓𝒄)(𝟒𝒂𝒃 − 𝟓𝒄)
other is difference.
 Factoring Difference of Two Squares
𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒙 + 𝒚 (𝒙 − 𝒚)
Example 3. Factor 18𝑎" − 72𝑎𝑏 , completely.
Solution: Neither the first nor the second term is a square. But a common
monomial factor exists. First, factor out the common monomial factor.
18𝑎" − 72𝑎𝑏 , = 18𝑎(𝑎, − 4𝑏 , )
But take note that the binomial factor can still be factored. The binomial is
a difference of two squares. Thus, to factor the given polynomial
completely, apply a second factoring technique.
18𝑎" − 72𝑎𝑏 , = 18𝑎 𝑎, − 4𝑏 , 𝑎, − 4𝑏 , = (𝒂 + 𝟐𝒃)(𝒂 − 𝟐𝒃)
= 𝟏𝟖𝒂 (𝒂 + 𝟐𝒃)(𝒂 − 𝟐𝒃)
Exercise 3. Determine whether the following binomials are difference of
two squares.

1. 4𝑥 , − 1
,
2. 25𝑥 − 9
,
3. 𝑥 − 2𝑦
,
,
4. 81𝑥 − 4𝑦
, ,
5. 121𝑥 𝑦 + 64

B. Factor each completely.

1. 𝑥2 − 64 6. 𝑐 # − 4
2. 25𝑥2 − 4 7. 16𝑏 , − 81
3. 9𝑥2 − 49𝑦2 8. 12 − 75𝑢)
4. 36𝑥4 − 1 9. 17𝑣 , − 68
5. 100𝑥4 − 121𝑦6 10. 50𝑦 -. − 32𝑧(..
 Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials
Recall that the square of a binomial results in a perfect square trinomial (PST).
That is, (𝑥 + 𝑦)" = 𝑥 " + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 " and (𝑥 − 𝑦)" = 𝑥 " − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 " .
Reversing the process gives 𝑥 " + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 " = (𝑥 + 𝑦)" and 𝑥 " − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 " =
(𝑥 − 𝑦)"

This suggests that in factoring perfect square trinomial (PST), the

result is the square of a binomial. It is important, however, to check if
the given trinomial is really a PST.

Example 1. Determine whether each trinomial is a PST.

a. 𝑦 , + 8𝑦 + 16 b. 4𝑥 , − 6𝑥𝑦 + 9𝑦 ,
 Solution
a. To tell if 𝑦 , + 8𝑦 + 16 is a perfect b. 4𝑥 , − 6𝑥𝑦 + 9𝑦 ,
square trinomial, examine each
4𝑥 , is a perfect square.
term.
Is the first term a perfect square? 9𝑦 , is a perfect square.
𝑦 , = 𝑦 O 𝑦 YES. Twice the product of 2𝑥 and
Is the last term a perfect square? 3𝑦 is 2 2𝑥 3𝑦 = 12𝑥𝑦.
16 = 4 O 4 YES.
But the middle term of the
Is the middle term twice the
given trinomial is −6𝑥𝑦.
product of the square root of 𝑦 ,
and 16? 2 𝑦 4 = 8𝑦 YES. Thus, 4𝑥 , − 6𝑥𝑦 + 9𝑦 , is not
a PST.
Therefore, 𝑦 , + 8𝑦 + 16 is a PST.
 Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials
Factoring Perfect Square Example 1. Factor 𝑥 , + 14𝑥 + 49 .
Trinomial
1. Get the square roots of the Check if the given trinomial is a PST. Since
first and last terms. the middle term 14𝑥 is twice the product of
2. Use the sign of the middle the square root of the first (𝑥) and third terms
term between these roots. (7), and the first and last terms are perfect
3. Square the binomial squares, then, the trinomial is a PST.
obtained in Step 2. 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟒𝒙 + 𝟒𝟗 =
𝑥% = 𝑥 49 = 7
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟒𝒙 + 𝟒𝟗 = (𝒙 + 𝟕)𝟐
Note: When a binomial is squared, its product is called a perfect square trinomial.

Read page 8 of Realistic Math 8 to know more on how to factor perfect square trinomial.
 Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials

Example 2. Factor 49𝑥 / − 56𝑥𝑦 + 16𝑦 / . Factoring Perfect Square Trinomial

1. Get the square roots of the first

Since 49𝑥 / and 16𝑦 / are perfect squares, and
and last terms.
56𝑥𝑦 is twice the product of the square root of
2. Use the sign of the middle term
the terms, then the given is a PST. between these roots.
49𝑥 , − 56𝑥𝑦 + 16𝑦 , = 3. Square the binomial obtained in
𝑥, = 𝑥 49 = 7 Step 2.

49𝑥 , − 56𝑥𝑦 + 16𝑦 , = (𝟕𝒙 − 𝟒𝒚)𝟐

Note: When a binomial is squared, its product is called a perfect square trinomial.

Read page 8 of Realistic Math 8 to know more on how to factor perfect square trinomial.
Exercise 4:Factor each polynomial.
1. 𝑥 P − 6𝑥 + 9
2. 4𝑥 P + 4𝑥 + 1
3. 25𝑥 P − 10𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 P
4. 9𝑥 P + 24𝑥 + 16
5. 36𝑥 Q − 60𝑥 P 𝑦 + 25𝑦 P
6. 1 − 12𝑥 + 36𝑥 P
7. 𝑥 P + 18𝑥 + 81
8. 64 − 48𝑥𝑦 + 9𝑥 P 𝑦 P
9. 𝑛Q + 10𝑛P 𝑝 + 25𝑝P
10. 𝑠 , + 26𝑠 - + 169
Factoring Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
Recall the product of the forms

(𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 , −𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 , ) = 𝑥 " + 𝑦 " Sum of Two Cubes

(𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑥 , +𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 , ) = 𝑥 " − 𝑦 " Difference of Two Cubes

Factors of Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

𝑥 * + 𝑦 * = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 %−𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 %)
𝑥 * − 𝑦 * = (𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑥 %+𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 %)
Factoring Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
Steps in factoring the sum or difference of two cubes:
1. Get the cube root of each cube.
2. Taking the operation between the cubes, obtain a binomial factor using
the cube roots is step 1.
3. Form the trinomial factor as follows:
a. Square the first cube root.
b. Multiply the two cube roots.
c. Square the second cube root.
For the sum of cubes, the terms of the trinomial have an alternating sum.
For the difference of cubes, the terms of the trinomial are all positive.
Factoring Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
Steps in factoring the sum or difference of two Example 1. Factor 𝑥 * + 8.
cubes:
𝑥 * + 8 = (𝑥)* +(2)*
1. Get the cube root of each cube.
2. Taking the operation between the cubes,
= 𝑥 + 2 [(𝑥)" − 𝑥 2 + (2)"
obtain a binomial factor using the cube
roots is step 1.
= 𝒙 + 𝟐 (𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟒)
3. Form the trinomial factor as follows:
a. Square the first cube root.
b. Multiply the two cube roots.
c. Square the second cube root.

For the sum of cubes, the terms of the

trinomial have an alternating sum.

For the difference of cubes, the terms of the

trinomial are all positive.
Factoring Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
Steps in factoring the sum or difference of
Example 2. Factor 8𝑥 * − 27𝑦 +
two cubes:
1. Get the cube root of each cube. 8𝑥 * − 27𝑦 +
2. Taking the operation between the
cubes, obtain a binomial factor using = (2𝑥)* −(3𝑦 " )*
the cube roots is step 1.
3. Form the trinomial factor as follows: = 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 " [ 2𝑥 " + (2𝑥)(3𝑦 " ) + −3𝑦 " " ]
a. Square the first cube root.
b. Multiply the two cube roots. = 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑𝒚𝟐 (𝟒𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙𝒚𝟐 + 𝟗𝒚𝟒 )
c. Square the second cube root.
For the sum of cubes, the terms of
the trinomial have an alternating sum.

For the difference of cubes, the terms

of the trinomial are all positive.
Exercise 5: Factor the following expressions.

1. 𝑥 - − 𝑎-

2. 27𝑧 - + 1

3. 125𝑢- − 𝑣 -

4. 𝑝- 𝑞 - − 𝑟 -

5. 𝑑 - 𝑒 , 𝑓 R − 216
 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials
Factoring General Trinomials in the form 𝑥 % + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
Factoring a trinomial of the form 𝑥 , + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 means to express the
trinomial as a product of two binomials.

What is a quadratic A quadratic trinomial is a second-degree

polynomial with three terms. This is of the
trinomial? form a𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 where a, b, and c are
nonzero integral coefficients.
This discussion will be divided into two parts:

Case 1: A quadratic trinomial where a = 1, and

Case 2: A quadratic trinomial where a ≠ 1.

Quadratic Trinomial where a = 1
Examples of quadratic trinomials where a = 1
26

1. 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐 𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝒃 = −𝟒, 𝒄 = −𝟏𝟐

2. 𝑥2 − 7𝑥 + 10 𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝒃 = −𝟕, 𝒄 = 𝟏𝟎

3. 𝑥2 + 4𝑥 − 5 𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝒃 = 𝟒, 𝒄 = −𝟓

Note that 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐 is the product of 𝑥 + 2 𝑥 − 6 .

Since multiplication is the reverse process of factoring, the
factors of 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐 are 𝑥 + 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 − 6 .
The factored form is a product of (𝑥 + ___)(x + ___) .
 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials where 𝑎 = 1
Example
1. 𝑥 / − 3𝑥 − 18 1. Find two factors of c whose sum equals
In 𝑥 / − 3𝑥 − 18 , 𝑐 = −18 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = −3.
to the coefficient b.
Factors of -18 Sum of the factors 2. Using the form (𝑥 + ___)(x + ___), fill this
(1)(-18) (1)+(-18) = -17 up with the two factors found in step 1.
(2)(-9) (2)+(-9) = -7

(3)(-6) (3)+(-6) = -3 The factors that give a sum of

𝑏 = −3 are 3 and -6.
(6)(-3) (6)+(-3) = 3

(9)(-2) (9)(-2) = 7
Thus 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟏𝟖 = (𝐱 + 𝟑)(𝐱 − 𝟔).
(18)(-1) (18)(-1) = 17
Factoring Quadratic Trinomials where 𝑎 = 1

1. Find two factors of c whose

2. 𝑥 " + 5𝑥 − 6 a = 1, b = 5, c = -6 sum equals to the coefficient
b.
Factors of -6
2. Using the form (𝑥 + ___)(x +
___), fill this up with the two
2 + -3 = -1 factors found in step 1.
-2 + 3 = 1
1 + -6 = -5
(𝑥 + ___)(x + ___) (𝒙 − 𝟏)(𝐱 + 𝟔)
-1 + 6 = 5
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓𝒙 − 𝟔 = (𝐱 − 𝟏)(𝐱 + 𝟔)
3. −𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐𝒙
Always bear in mind that the first type of factoring to consider is the
common monomial factoring. In the given trinomial, a common
monomial factor is present.

The factors of the given are −2𝑥 𝑥 % − 5𝑥 + 6 .

Give the factors of 𝑥 % − 5𝑥 + 6
(-2)(-3) = 6 (𝑥 + ___)(x + ___)

-2 + -3 = -5 (𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝐱 − 𝟑)
−2𝑥 % + 10𝑥 − 12𝑥 = −𝟐𝒙 (𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝒙 − 𝟑)
 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials where 𝑎 ≠ 1
Examples of quadratic trinomials where a ≠ 1

1. 3𝑥 , + 5𝑥 + 2
2. 3𝑥2 + 6𝑥 -24
3. 8𝑥2 −10x+3
The product of 3𝑥 + 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 + 1 is the trinomial 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟐 .
Therefore, 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟐 = (𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐)(𝒙 + 𝟏).
Note that the first terms of the binomial factors are factors of the first
term of the trinomial; the second terms of the binomial factors are factors
of the third term of the trinomial; and finally, the sum of the products of
the outer and inner terms of the binomial factors gives the middle term.
These information are the guiding principles in factoring quadratic
trinomials where a ≠ 1.
 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials where 𝑎 ≠ 1
FACTORING TRINOMIALS OF THE FORM 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄
METHOD 1: Guess and Check
1. Factor out any common monomial factor.
2. List all factors of a and c.
3. Try and check combinations of the factors of a and c until the
correct middle term, bx, is obtained.
Factor 8𝑥 , − 14𝑥 + 3
List all possible factors of a=8 and c=3. Then, using guess-and-check method, test
which of these pairs of factors will give the coefficient of the middle term.
Factors of 8: ±8, ±4, ±2, ±1
The factors that give the middle term -14x are 4𝑥 − 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (2𝑥 − 3).
Hence, 𝟖𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟒𝒙 + 𝟑 = (𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏)(𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑).
 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials where 𝑎 ≠ 1
FACTORING TRINOMIALS OF THE FORM. 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄

METHOD 2: Factoring By Grouping

1. Factor out any common monomial factor.
2. Get the product of the first and last terms, then find factors of ac whose
sum is equal to the middle term.
3. Rewrite the given using these factors.
4. Apply the steps in factoring by grouping.
Use these steps in factoring four or more terms by grouping.
1. Rearrange and group terms. Collect the terms into two groups so that each
group has a common factor.
2. Apply common monomial factoring.
3. Write the expression as a product of the common factor and the remaining factor.
 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials where 𝑎 ≠ 1
FACTORING TRINOMIALS OF THE FORM 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄
METHOD 2: Factoring By Grouping
1. Factor out any common monomial factor.
2. Get the product of the first and last terms, then find factors of ac whose sum is
equal to the middle term.
3. Rewrite the given using these factors.
4. Apply the steps in factoring by grouping.

Factor 8𝑥 " − 14𝑥 + 3 a = 8, b = -14, c = 3

ac = (8)(3) = 24
Think of the factors of 24 whose sum is equal to the middle term b, which is -14
Factors are (-12)(-2), the sum of the factors -12 + -2 = -14
Step 3: 8𝑥 / − 14𝑥 + 3 = 8𝑥 , −12𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 3
 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials where 𝑎 ≠ 1
FACTORING TRINOMIALS OF THE FORM 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄

METHOD 2: Factoring By Grouping Steps in factoring by grouping

1. Rearrange and group terms.
Step 3: 8𝑥 " − 14𝑥 + 3 = 8𝑥 " −12𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 3 Collect the terms into two
groups so that each group
has a common factor.
Step 4: Apply factoring by grouping
8𝑥 " − 12𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 3 = (8𝑥 " −12𝑥) + (−2𝑥 + 3) 2. Apply common monomial
factoring.
3. Write the expression as a
4𝑥 2𝑥 − 3 −1 2𝑥 − 3 product of the common factor
and the remaining factor.
(𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑) (𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏)