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Factorization

The document explains various methods of factorization, including finding the Highest Common Factor (HCF), factoring the Difference of Two Squares, working with Trinomials, and using Grouping for expressions with four terms. Each method is accompanied by step-by-step instructions and examples to illustrate the process. The document serves as a guide for understanding and applying these factorization techniques.

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3 views6 pages

Factorization

The document explains various methods of factorization, including finding the Highest Common Factor (HCF), factoring the Difference of Two Squares, working with Trinomials, and using Grouping for expressions with four terms. Each method is accompanied by step-by-step instructions and examples to illustrate the process. The document serves as a guide for understanding and applying these factorization techniques.

Uploaded by

rossouw.morne
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding Factorization

Factorization is like breaking down a number or an expression into its building blocks (factors) that,
when multiplied together, give you the original number or expression. It's the opposite of expanding
or multiplying.

1. Highest Common Factor (HCF)

Do you need help? Contact Mr. A. Frouws


The HCF is the biggest factor that two or more terms share. It's the simplest type of factorization and
often the first step in solving more complex problems.

How to do it:

 Find the HCF of the numbers: Look for the largest number that divides into all the
coefficients (the numbers in front of the variables).
 Find the HCF of the variables: For each variable, take the lowest power that appears in all
the terms.
 Put them together: The HCF is the product of the number HCF and the variable HCF.
 Divide each term by the HCF: Write the HCF outside the bracket, and what's left after
dividing each term by the HCF goes inside the bracket.

Example: Factorize 6x² + 9x

 Numbers: HCF of 6 and 9 is 3.


 Variables: The variable is 'x'. The lowest power is x¹ (from 9x). So the HCF of the variables is
x.
 Combined HCF: 3x
 Divide:
o 6x² / 3x = 2x
o 9x / 3x = 3
 Answer: 3x(2x + 3)

2. Difference of Two Squares

Do you need help? Contact Mr. A. Frouws


This type of factorization only works when you have two terms, both of which are perfect squares,
and there's a minus sign between them.

How to do it:

 Check: Is it two terms? Is there a minus sign? Are both terms perfect squares (meaning you
can find their square root exactly)?
 Find square roots: Take the square root of the first term and the square root of the second
term.
 Set up brackets: Create two brackets. In the first bracket, put the square roots with a plus
sign in between. In the second bracket, put the same square roots with a minus sign in
between.

Formula: a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b)

Example: Factorize x² - 25

 Check: Two terms, minus sign, x² is (x)², 25 is (5)². Yes!


 Square roots: √x² = x, √25 = 5
 Answer: (x - 5)(x + 5)

Another Example: Factorize 4y² - 9

 Check: Two terms, minus sign, 4y² is (2y)², 9 is (3)². Yes!


 Square roots: √4y² = 2y, √9 = 3

Do you need help? Contact Mr. A. Frouws


 Answer: (2y - 3)(2y + 3)

3. Trinomials (x² + bx + c)

A trinomial has three terms. For Grade 9, you usually focus on trinomials where the first term is just
x² (or another variable squared) with a coefficient of 1.

How to do it:

 Find two numbers: You need to find two numbers that:


o Multiply to give you the last term (c).
o Add/Subtract to give you the middle term (b).
 Set up brackets: Once you find these two numbers, place them into two brackets with 'x' (or
your variable) at the start of each.

Example: Factorize x² + 5x + 6

 Last term (c) = 6. What pairs of numbers multiply to 6?


o 1x6
o 2x3
 Middle term (b) = 5. Which pair adds up to 5?
o 2+3=5
 Answer: (x + 2)(x + 3)

Example: Factorize x² - x - 6

 Last term (c) = -6. What pairs multiply to -6? (One must be negative)
o -1 x 6
o 1 x -6
o -2 x 3
o 2 x -3
 Middle term (b) = -1. Which pair adds up to -1?
o 2 + (-3) = -1
 Answer: (x + 2)(x - 3)

3. Grouping (when there are 4 terms)

Do you need help? Contact Mr. A. Frouws


This method is used when you have four terms in an expression and you can't find a common factor
for all of them.

How to do it:

 Group the terms: Split the four terms into two pairs.
 Find HCF for each pair: Factor out the HCF from each pair separately.
 Look for common bracket: If you've done it correctly, you should now have the same
bracket appearing in both parts.
 Factor out the common bracket: Write the common bracket once, and then in another
bracket, write down what's left over from factoring (the HCFs you pulled out).

Example: Factorize ax + ay + bx + by

 Group: (ax + ay) + (bx + by)


 HCF for each pair:
o From (ax + ay), the HCF is a. So, a(x + y)
o From (bx + by), the HCF is b. So, b(x + y)
 Common bracket: Notice that (x + y) is common to both.
 Answer: (x + y)(a + b)

Key Tip for Grouping: If the third term is negative, make sure to factor out a negative HCF from the
second pair so that your brackets match.

Example: Factorize xy - 3x - 2y + 6

 Group: (xy - 3x) + (-2y + 6)


 HCF for each pair:

Do you need help? Contact Mr. A. Frouws


oFrom (xy - 3x), HCF is x. So, x(y - 3)
oFrom (-2y + 6), HCF is -2. So, -2(y - 3) (Notice that 6 / -2 = -3!)
 Common bracket: (y - 3)
 Answer: (y - 3)(x - 2)

Do you need help? Contact Mr. A. Frouws

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