2.

8 Factoring Polynomials Completely

Essential Question How can you factor a polynomial completely?

Writing a Product of Linear Factors

Work with a partner. Write the product represented by the algebra tiles. Then
multiply to write the polynomial in standard form.
a.
( )( )( )
b.
( )( )( )
c.
( )( )( )
d.
( )( )( )
REASONING e.
( )( )( )
ABSTRACTLY
To be proficient in math,
f.
( )( )( )
you need to know and
flexibly use different Matching Standard and Factored Forms
properties of operations
and objects. Work with a partner. Match the standard form of the polynomial with the
equivalent factored form. Explain your strategy.
a. x3 + x 2 A. x(x + 1)(x − 1)
b. x3 − x B. x(x − 1)2
c. x3 + x 2 − 2x C. x(x + 1)2
d. x3 − 4x 2 + 4x D. x(x + 2)(x − 1)
e. x3 − 2x 2 − 3x E. x(x − 1)(x − 2)
f. x3 − 2x 2 + x F. x(x + 2)(x − 2)
g. x3 − 4x G. x(x − 2)2
h. x3 + 2x 2 H. x(x + 2)2
i. x3 − x 2 I. x2(x − 1)
j. x3 − 3x 2 + 2x J. x2(x + 1)
k. x3 + 2x 2 − 3x K. x2(x − 2)
l. x3 − 4x 2 + 3x L. x2(x + 2)
m. x3 − 2x 2 M. x(x + 3)(x − 1)
n. x3 + 4x 2 + 4x N. x(x + 1)(x − 3)
o. x3 + 2x 2 + x O. x(x − 1)(x − 3)

Communicate Your Answer

3. How can you factor a polynomial completely?
4. Use your answer to Question 3 to factor each polynomial completely.
a. x3 + 4x2 + 3x b. x3 − 6x2 + 9x c. x3 + 6x2 + 9x

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 2.8 Lesson What You Will Learn
Factor polynomials by grouping.
Factor polynomials completely.
Core Vocabul
Vocabulary
larry Use factoring to solve real-life problems.
factoring by grouping, p. 108
factored completely, p. 108
Factoring Polynomials by Grouping
Previous You have used the Distributive Property to factor out a greatest common monomial
polynomial from a polynomial. Sometimes, you can factor out a common binomial. You may
binomial be able to use the Distributive Property to factor polynomials with four terms, as
described below.

Core Concept
Factoring by Grouping
To factor a polynomial with four terms, group the terms into pairs. Factor the GCF
out of each pair of terms. Look for and factor out the common binomial factor.
This process is called factoring by grouping.

Factoring by Grouping

Factor each polynomial by grouping.

a. x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 6 b. x2 + y + x + xy

SOLUTION
a. x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 6 = (x3 + 3x2) + (2x + 6) Group terms with common factors.
Common binomial factor is x + 3. = x2(x + 3) + 2(x + 3) Factor out GCF of each pair of terms.
= (x + 3)(x2 + 2) Factor out (x + 3).

So, x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 6 = (x + 3)(x2 + 2).

b. x2 + y + x + xy = x2 + x + xy + y Rewrite polynomial.
= (x2 + x) + (xy + y) Group terms with common factors.
Common binomial factor is x + 1. = x(x + 1) + y(x + 1) Factor out GCF of each pair of terms.
= (x + 1)(x + y) Factor out (x + 1).

So, x2 + y + x + xy = (x + 1)(x + y).

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Factor the polynomial by grouping.

1. a3 + 3a2 + a + 3 2. y2 + 2x + yx + 2y

Factoring Polynomials Completely

You have seen that the polynomial x2 − 1 can be factored as (x + 1)(x − 1). This
polynomial is factorable. Notice that the polynomial x2 + 1 cannot be written as the
product of polynomials with integer coefficients. This polynomial is unfactorable.
A factorable polynomial with integer coefficients is factored completely when it is
written as a product of unfactorable polynomials with integer coefficients.

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 Concept Summary
Guidelines for Factoring Polynomials Completely
To factor a polynomial completely, you should try each of these steps.
1. Factor out the greatest common monomial factor. 3x2 + 6x = 3x(x + 2)

2. Look for a difference of two squares or a perfect x2 + 4x + 4 = (x + 2)2

square trinomial.

3. Factor a trinomial of the form ax2 + bx + c into a product 3x2 − 5x − 2 = (3x + 1)(x − 2)
of binomial factors.

4. Factor a polynomial with four terms by grouping. x3 + x − 4x2 − 4 = (x2 + 1)(x − 4)

Factoring Completely

Factor (a) 3x3 + 6x2 − 18x and (b) 7x4 − 28x2.

SOLUTION
a. 3x3 + 6x2 − 18x = 3x(x2 + 2x − 6) Factor out 3x.
x2 + 2x − 6 is unfactorable, so the polynomial is factored completely.
So, 3x3 + 6x2 − 18x = 3x(x2 + 2x − 6).

b. 7x4 − 28x2 = 7x2(x2 − 4) Factor out 7x 2.

= 7x2(x2 − 22) Write as a2 − b2.
= 7x2(x + 2)(x − 2) Difference of two squares pattern

So, 7x4 − 28x2 = 7x2(x + 2)(x − 2).

Solving an Equation by Factoring Completely

Solve 2x3 + 8x2 = 10x.

SOLUTION
2x3 + 8x2 = 10x Original equation
2x3 + 8x2 − 10x = 0 Subtract 10x from each side.
2x(x2 + 4x − 5) = 0 Factor out 2x.
2x(x + 5)(x − 1) = 0 Factor x2 + 4x − 5.
2x = 0 or x+5=0 or x−1=0 Zero-Product Property
x=0 or x = −5 or x=1 Solve for x.
The roots are x = −5, x = 0, and x = 1.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Factor the polynomial completely.

3. 3x3 − 12x 4. 2y3 − 12y2 + 18y 5. m3 − 2m2 − 8m

Solve the equation.
6. w3 − 8w2 + 16w = 0 7. x3 − 25x = 0 8. c3 − 7c2 + 12c = 0

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 Solving Real-Life Problems
Modeling with Mathematics

A terrarium in the shape of a rectangular prism has a volume of 4608 cubic inches. Its
length is more than 10 inches. The dimensions of the terrarium in terms of its width
are shown. Find the length, width, and height of the terrarium.
(w + 4) in.
SOLUTION
1. Understand the Problem You are given the volume of a terrarium in the shape
w in. of a rectangular prism and a description of the length. The dimensions are written
(36 − w) in. in terms of its width. You are asked to find the length, width, and height of the
terrarium.
2. Make a Plan Use the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism to write and
solve an equation for the width of the terrarium. Then substitute that value in the
expressions for the length and height of the terrarium.
3. Solve the Problem
Volume = length ⋅ width ⋅ height Volume of a rectangular prism
4608 = (36 − w)(w)(w + 4) Write equation.
4608 = 32w2 + 144w − w3 Multiply.
0 = 32w2 + 144w − w3 − 4608 Subtract 4608 from each side.
0= (−w3 + 32w2) + (144w − 4608) Group terms with common factors.
0 = −w2(w − 32) + 144(w − 32) Factor out GCF of each pair of terms.
0 = (w − 32)(−w2 + 144) Factor out (w − 32).
0 = −1(w − 32)(w2 − 144) Factor −1 from −w 2 + 144.
0 = −1(w − 32)(w − 12)(w + 12) Difference of two squares pattern
w − 32 = 0 or w − 12 = 0 or w + 12 = 0 Zero-Product Property
w = 32 or w = 12 or w = −12 Solve for w.
Disregard w = −12 because a negative width does not make sense. You know that
the length is more than 10 inches. Test the solutions of the equation, 12 and 32, in
the expression for the length.
length = 36 − w = 36 − 12 = 24 ✓ or length = 36 − w = 36 − 32 = 4 ✗
The solution 12 gives a length of 24 inches, so 12 is the correct value of w.
Use w = 12 to find the height, as shown.
Check
height = w + 4 = 12 + 4 = 16
V = wh
? The width is 12 inches, the length is 24 inches, and the height is 16 inches.
4608 = 24(12)(16)
4608 = 4608 ✓ 4. Look Back Check your solution. Substitute the values for the length, width, and
height when the width is 12 inches into the formula for volume. The volume of the
terrarium should be 4608 cubic inches.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

9. A box in the shape of a rectangular prism has a volume of 72 cubic feet. The box
has a length of x feet, a width of (x − 1) feet, and a height of (x + 9) feet. Find
the dimensions of the box.

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 2.8 Exercises Dynamic Solutions available at BigIdeasMath.com

Vocabulary and Core Concept Check

1. VOCABULARY What does it mean for a polynomial to be factored completely?

2. WRITING Explain how to choose which terms to group together when factoring by grouping.

Monitoring Progress and Modeling with Mathematics

In Exercises 3–10, factor the polynomial by grouping. 31. y 32. y
5 420
(See Example 1.)
−1 1 3 5x
3. x3 + x2 + 2x + 2 4. y3 − 9y2 + y − 9

5. 3z3 + 2z − 12z2 − 8 6. 2s3 − 27 − 18s + 3s2

−4 4x
7. x2 + xy + 8x + 8y 8. q2 + q + 5pq + 5p
−140
140
9. m2 − 3m + mn − 3n 10. 2a2 + 8ab − 3a − 12b y = −2x 4 + 16x 3 − 32x 2 y = 4x 3 + 25x 2 − 56x

In Exercises 11–22, factor the polynomial completely.

(See Example 2.)
ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 33 and 34, describe and
11. 2x3 − 2x 12. 36a4 − 4a2 correct the error in factoring the polynomial completely.

✗
13. 2c2 − 7c + 19 14. m2 − 5m − 35 33.
a3 + 8a2 − 6a − 48 = a2(a + 8) + 6(a + 8)
15. 6g3 − 24g2 + 24g 16. −15d 3 + 21d 2 − 6d = (a + 8)(a2 + 6)
17. 3r5 + 3r 4 − 90r3 18. 5w 4 − 40w3 + 80w2

✗
34.
19. −4c 4 + 8c3 − 28c2 20. 8t2 + 8t − 72 x3 − 6x2 − 9x + 54 = x2(x − 6) − 9(x − 6)
21. b3 − 5b2 − 4b + 20 22. h3 + 4h2 − 25h − 100 = (x − 6)(x2 − 9)

In Exercises 23–28, solve the equation. (See Example 3.)

35. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS
23. 5n3 − 30n2 + 40n = 0 24. k 4 − 100k2 = 0
You are building a birdhouse
in the shape of a
25. x3 + x2 = 4x + 4 26. 2t 5 + 2t4 − 144t 3 = 0
rectangular prism that has
27. 12s − 3s3 = 0 28. 4y3 − 7y2 + 28 = 16y a volume of 128 cubic inches.
The dimensions of the
birdhouse in terms of (w + 4) in.
In Exercises 29–32, find the x-coordinates of the points
where the graph crosses the x-axis. its width are shown.
(See Example 4.)
29. y 30. y a. Write a polynomial that
w in. 4 in.
30 represents the volume
of the birdhouse.
−6 6 x −4 −2 1x b. What are the dimensions
−150
150 of the birdhouse?
−45

y = x 3 − 81x y = −3x 4 − 24x 3 − 45x 2

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 36. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS A gift bag shaped 44. MAKING AN ARGUMENT Your friend says that if a
like a rectangular prism has a volume of 1152 cubic trinomial cannot be factored as the product of two
inches. The dimensions of the gift bag in terms of its binomials, then the trinomial is factored completely.
width are shown. The height is greater than the width. Is your friend correct? Explain.
What are the dimensions of the gift bag?
45. PROBLEM SOLVING The volume (in cubic feet)
of a room in the shape of a rectangular prism is
represented by 12z3 − 27z. Find expressions that
(18 − w) in. could represent the dimensions of the room.

46. MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS The width of a box

(2w + 4) in. w in. in the shape of a rectangular prism is 4 inches more
than the height h. The length is the difference of
9 inches and the height.
In Exercises 37– 40, factor the polynomial completely.
a. Write a polynomial that represents the volume of
37. x3 + 2x2y − x − 2y 38. 8b3 − 4b2a − 18b + 9a the box in terms of its height (in inches).
39. 4s2 − s + 12st − 3t b. The volume of the box is 180 cubic inches. What
are the possible dimensions of the box?
40. 6m3 − 12mn + m2n − 2n2 c. Which dimensions result in a box with the least
possible surface area? Explain your reasoning.
41. WRITING Is it possible to find three real solutions
of the equation x3 + 2x2 + 3x + 6 = 0? Explain 47. MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS The volume of a
your reasoning. cylinder is given by V = πr 2h, where r is the radius
of the base of the cylinder and h is the height of the
42. HOW DO YOU SEE IT? How can you use cylinder. Find the dimensions of the cylinder.
the factored form of the polynomial
x 4 − 2x3 − 9x2 + 18x = x(x − 3)(x + 3)(x − 2)
to find the x-intercepts of the graph of the function?

y
Volume = 25hπ h
20

h−3
−2 2 x

y = x 4 − 2x 3 − 9x 2 + 18x
48. THOUGHT PROVOKING Factor the polynomial
−40 x5 − x 4 − 5x3 + 5x2 + 4x − 4 completely.

49. REASONING Find a value for w so that the equation

43. OPEN-ENDED Write a polynomial of degree 3 that has (a) two solutions and (b) three solutions. Explain
satisfies each of the given conditions. your reasoning.
a. is not factorable b. can be factored by grouping 5x3 + wx2 + 80x = 0

Maintaining Mathematical Proficiency Reviewing what you learned in previous grades and lessons

Solve the system of linear equations by graphing. (Skills Review Handbook)

1
50. y = x − 4 51. y = —2 x + 2 52. 5x − y = 12 53. x = 3y
1
y = −2x + 2 y = 3x − 3 —4 x +y=9 y − 10 = 2x

Determine whether the function represents exponential growth or exponential decay. (Section 1.6)
4 x
54. y = —3 () 55. y = 5(0.95)x 56. f(x) = (2.3)x − 2 57. f(x) = 50(1.1)3x

112 Chapter 2 Polynomial Equations and Factoring

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