FACTORIZING

POLYNOMIALS
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS

Factoring a polynomial
means expressing it as a
product of other polynomials.
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 1: GCF
Steps:
1. Find the greatest common factor
(GCF).
2. Divide the polynomial by the GCF.
The quotient is the other factor.
3. Express the polynomial as the
product of the quotient and the
GCF.
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS

Method 1: GCF

Example:
𝟔𝒄𝟑 d - 𝟏𝟐𝒄𝟐 𝒅𝟐 + 𝟑𝒄𝒅
Step 1: GCF = 3cd
Step 2: Divide by GCF
(𝟔𝒄𝟑 d - 𝟏𝟐𝒄𝟐 𝒅𝟐 + 𝟑𝒄𝒅) ÷ 3cd = 𝟐𝒄𝟐 - 4𝒄𝒅 +1
The answer is
𝟐
3cd ( 𝟐𝒄 - 4𝒄𝒅 +1)
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
Method 1: GCF
Factor these on your own looking for GCF.

𝟑 𝟐
1. 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟑𝒙 - 12x
𝟐
2. 𝟓𝒙 - 10x+ 35
𝟑 𝟒 𝟐 𝟐 𝟑 𝟑 𝟐
3. 𝟏𝟔𝒙 𝒚 z - 𝟖𝒙 𝒚 𝒛 + 12x 𝒚 𝒛
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
Method 1: GCF
Factor these on your own looking for GCF.

1. 𝟔𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙𝟐 - 12x = 3x(𝟐𝒙𝟐 + x - 4)

2. 𝟓𝒙𝟐 - 10x+ 35 = 5(𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐x +7)

3. 𝟏𝟔𝒙𝟑 𝒚𝟒 z - 𝟖𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝒛𝟑 + 12x 𝒚𝟑 𝒛𝟐 =

4x 𝒚𝟐 z(𝟒𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐 -2x 𝒛𝟐 +3yz)

FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 2.
“Difference of Squares”
To factor, express each term as a square of a monomial
then apply the rule…

𝒂 - 𝒃 = 𝒂+𝒃 𝒂−𝒃
𝟐 𝟐
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 2. “Difference of Squares”

Example 1:
𝟐
𝒙 - 16
𝒂 - 𝒃 = 𝒂+𝒃 𝒂−𝒃
𝟐 𝟐
𝟐 𝟐
𝒙 -𝟒 = 𝒙+𝟒 𝒙−𝟒
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 2. “Difference of Squares”

Example 2:
𝟏 𝟐
𝒙 - 81
𝟒𝟗
𝒂 -𝒃 =
𝟐 𝟐 𝒂+𝒃 𝒂−𝒃
𝟏 𝟐 𝟐 1 1
( 𝒙) - 𝟗 = 𝑥 +9 𝑥 −9
𝟕 7 7
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 2. “Difference of Squares”

Try these:
𝟐
1. 𝒙 - 121
𝟐 𝟐
2. 𝟗𝒚 - 𝟏𝟔𝟗𝒙
𝟒
3. 𝒙 - 16
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 2. “Difference of Squares”

Try these:
𝟐
1. 𝒙 - 121 = 𝒙 + 𝟏𝟏 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟏
𝟐 𝟐
2. 𝟗𝒚 - 𝟏𝟔𝟗𝒙 = 𝟑𝒚 + 𝟏𝟑𝒙 𝟑𝒚 − 𝟏𝟑𝒙
𝟒 𝟐
3. 𝒙 - 16= 𝒙 − 𝟐 𝒙 + 𝟐 (𝒙 +4)
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 3 & 4.
“Sum and Difference of Cubes”

𝟑 𝟑 𝟐 𝟐
𝒂 + 𝒃 = 𝒂 + 𝒃 ( 𝒂 - 𝒂b + 𝒃 )
𝟑 𝟑 𝟐 𝟐
𝒂 - 𝒃 = 𝒂 − 𝒃 ( 𝒂 + 𝒂b + 𝒃 )
Write each monomial as a cube and apply either of the rules.
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 3&4.
“Sum and Difference of Cubes”
Example 1:
𝒙𝟑 + 64
(𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒𝟑 ) (Rewrite as cubes)
Apply the rule for sum of cubes:

𝒂𝟑 + 𝒃𝟑 = 𝒂 + 𝒃 ( 𝒂𝟐 - 𝒂b + 𝒃𝟐 )
= (x+4) (𝒙𝟐 - 𝒙.4 + 𝟒𝟐 )
=(x+4) (𝒙𝟐 - 4x + 𝟏𝟔)

𝒙𝟑 + 64 = (x+4) (𝒙𝟐 - 4x + 𝟏𝟔)

FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 3&4.
“Sum and Difference of Cubes”
Example 2:
𝟖𝒚𝟑 - 125
(𝟐𝒚𝟑 - 𝟓𝟑 ) (Rewrite as cubes)
Apply the rule for difference of cubes:

𝒂𝟑 - 𝒃𝟑 = 𝒂 − 𝒃 ( 𝒂𝟐 + 𝒂b + 𝒃𝟐 )
= (2y-5) ((𝟐𝒚)𝟐 + 𝟐𝒚.5 + 𝟓𝟐 )
= (2y-5) (𝟒𝒚𝟐 + 10y + 𝟐𝟓)

𝟑
𝟖𝒚 - 125 = (2y-5) (𝟒𝒚𝟐 + 10y + 𝟐𝟓)
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 3&4.
“Sum and Difference of Cubes”

Try these on your own:

𝟑
1. 𝟏𝟐𝟓𝒙 + 1 =

2. 𝟖𝒚𝟑 - 𝟐𝟕𝒙𝟑 =

𝒏
3. 𝒙 - 64 ; for n= 6
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 3&4.
“Sum and Difference of Cubes”

Try these on your own:

1. 𝟏𝟐𝟓𝒙𝟑 + 1 = (5x+ 1) (𝟐𝟓𝒙𝟐 -5x + 1)

2. 𝟖𝒚𝟑 - 𝟐𝟕𝒙𝟑 =(2y-3x) (𝟒𝒚𝟐 + 6xy +𝟗𝒙𝟐 )

3. 𝒙𝒏 - 64 ; for n= 6 = (x-2) (𝒙𝟐+2x + 4) (x+2) (𝒙𝟐-2x + 4)

FACTORIZING
• Method 5.
POLYNOMIALS
Factoring a general trinomial: 𝒂𝒙
𝟐
+ 𝒃𝒙+ c
1.Write two sets of parenthesis, ( ) ( )
These will be the factors of the trinomial.

2. Product of first terms of both binomials must equal first

term of the trinomial. (𝒂𝒙𝟐 )

3. The product of last terms of both binomials must equal last

term of the trinomial (c).
4. Think of the FOIL method of multiplying binomials, the sum
of the outer and the inner products must equal the middle
term (bx).
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 1:

𝟐
𝒙 - 6x+ 8
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 1:
𝟐
𝒙 - 6x+ 8
(x ) (x ) x. x = 𝒙𝟐
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 1:
𝟐
𝒙 - 6x+ 8
(x ) (x ) x. x = 𝒙𝟐

Factors of +8 : 1 and 8 1x + 8x =9x

2 and 4 2x +4x = 6x
-1 and -8 -1x – 8x = -9x
-2 and -4 -2x – 4x = -6x
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 1:
𝟐
𝒙 - 6x+ 8
(x ) (x ) x. x = 𝒙𝟐

Factors of +8 : 1 and 8 1x + 8x =9x

2 and 4 2x +4x = 6x
-1 and -8 -1x – 8x = -9x
-2 and -4 -2x – 4x = -6x
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 1:
𝟐
𝒙 - 6x+ 8
(x ) (x ) x. x = 𝒙𝟐
(x - 2) (x - 4)
Factors of +8 : 1 and 8 1x + 8x =9x
2 and 4 2x +4x = 6x
-1 and -8 -1x – 8x = -9x
-2 and -4 -2x – 4x = -6x
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 1:
𝟐
𝒙 - 6x+ 8
(x ) (x ) x. x = 𝒙𝟐
(x - 2) (x - 4)
Factors of +8 : 1 and 8 1x + 8x =9x
2 and 4 2x +4x = 6x
-1 and -8 -1x – 8x = -9x
-2 and -4 -2x – 4x = -6x
𝒙𝟐 - 6x+ 8 = (x - 2) (x - 4)
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 1:
𝟐
𝒙 - 6x+ 8
(x ) (x ) x. x = 𝒙𝟐 Check your answer by using FOIL.
F O I L
(x - 2) (x - 4) (x - 2) (x - 4) = 𝒙𝟐 -4x - 2x + 8
Factors of +8 : 1 and 8 1x + 8x =9x = 𝒙𝟐 - 6x + 8
2 and 4 2x +4x = 6x
-1 and -8 -1x – 8x = -9x
-2 and -4 -2x – 4x = -6x

𝒙𝟐 - 6x+ 8 = (x - 2) (x - 4)
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 1:
𝟐
𝒙 - 6x+ 8
(x ) (x ) x. x = 𝒙𝟐 Check your answer by using FOIL.
F O I L
(x - 2) (x - 4) (x - 2) (x - 4) = 𝒙𝟐 -4x - 2x + 8
Factors of +8 : 1 and 8 1x + 8x =9x = 𝒙𝟐 - 6x + 8
2 and 4 2x +4x = 6x
-1 and -8 -1x – 8x = -9x
-2 and -4 -2x – 4x = -6x

𝒙𝟐 - 6x+ 8 = (x - 2) (x - 4)
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 2:

𝟐
𝟔𝒙 - 12x-1 8
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 2:
𝟐
𝟔𝒙 - 12x-18
Don’t forget Method 1.
Always check for the GCF before you do anything else.
6( 𝒙𝟐 - 2x-3) Find a GCF

6(x-3)(x+1) Factor the trinomial.

𝟔𝒙𝟐 - 12x-1 8 = 6(x-3)(x+1)

 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 2:
𝟐
𝟔𝒙 - 12x-1 8
Don’t forget Method 1.
Always check for the GCF before you do anything else.
6( 𝒙𝟐 - 2x-3) Find a GCF

6(x-3)(x+1) Factor the trinomial.

𝟔𝒙𝟐 - 12x-1 8 = 6(x-3)(x+1)

 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.

Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 3:

𝟐
𝟔𝒙 + 13x-5
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.
Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c

Example 3:

𝟔𝒙𝟐 + 13x-5
Step 1. Find the factors of 𝟔𝒙𝟐 . 6x . 1x
3x . 2x

Step 2. Find the factors of -5. 5 -1

-5 1
Order can make a difference.
-1 5
1 -5
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.
Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c
𝟐
Example 3: 𝟔𝒙 + 13x-5
Step 3. Place the factors inside the parenthesis until O + I = bx.
Try: (6x – 1) (x+5)
F 𝟐 O I L
𝟔𝒙 + 30x -x -5 O + I = 30x – x =29x This doesn’t work.

Switch the order of the second terms and try again.

(6x +5) (x – 1)
F O I L
𝟔𝒙𝟐 -6x +5x -5 O + I = -6x +5 x =-x This doesn’t work.
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 5.
Factoring a trinomial: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙+ c
𝟐
Example 3: 𝟔𝒙 + 13x-5
Step 3. Place the factors inside the parenthesis until O + I = bx.
Try another combination:
Switch to 3x and 2x
(3x – 1) (2x+5)
F O I L
𝟔𝒙𝟐 + 15x -2x -5 O + I = 15x – 2x =13x It works.

𝟔𝒙𝟐 + 13x-5 = (3x – 1) (2x+5)

 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 6.

Factoring a perfect square trinomial in the form:

𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝒂 +2ab+ 𝒃 = (𝒂 + 𝒃)
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝒂 -2ab+ 𝒃 = (𝒂 − 𝒃)
Perfect Square Trinomials can be factored just
like other trinomials (guess and check), but if
you recognize the perfect squares pattern, follow
the formula.
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 6.
Factoring a perfect square trinomial in the form:

𝒂𝟐 +2ab+ 𝒃𝟐 = (𝒂 + 𝒃)𝟐 𝒂𝟐 -2ab+ 𝒃𝟐 = (𝒂 − 𝒃)𝟐

Example 1:
𝒙𝟐 + 8x + 16

( 𝐱)𝟐 (𝟒)𝟐
𝒂 𝒃
2.x.4 = 8x Does the middle term fit the pattern, 2ab?
Yes, the factors are (𝒂 + 𝒃)𝟐 .

𝒙𝟐 + 8x + 16 = (𝒙 + 𝟒)𝟐
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 6.
Factoring a perfect square trinomial in the form:

𝒂𝟐 +2ab+ 𝒃𝟐 = (𝒂 + 𝒃)𝟐 𝒂𝟐 -2ab+ 𝒃𝟐 = (𝒂 − 𝒃)𝟐

Example 2:
𝟒𝒙𝟐 - 12x + 9

( 𝟐𝐱)𝟐 (𝟑)𝟐
𝒂 𝒃
2 . 2x . 3 = 12x Does the middle term fit the pattern, 2ab?
Yes, the factors are (𝒂 − 𝒃)𝟐 .

𝟒𝒙𝟐 - 12x + 9 = (𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑)𝟐

 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 7 .

Factoring by Grouping for

Polynomials with 4 or more terms:
Factoring by Grouping
1. Group the first set of terms and last set of terms with
parenthesis.
2. Factor out the GCF from each group so that both sets
of parenthesis contain the same factors.
3. Factor out the GCF again (the GCF is the factor from
Step 2).
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 7.
Factoring by Grouping for Polynomials with 4 or more terms:
Factoring by Grouping
Example 1:
𝒃𝟑 - 𝟑𝒃𝟐 +4b-12
Step 1: Group
( 𝑏 3 - 3𝑏 2 ) +(4b-12)
Step 2: Factor GCF from each group.
𝑏 2 (b-3) + 4(b-3)
Step 3: Factor out GCF again.
(b-3) ( 𝑏 2 + 4)

𝟑 𝟐 𝟐
𝒃 - 𝟑𝒃 +4b-12 = (b-3) ( 𝒃 + 4)
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 7.

Factoring by Grouping for Polynomials with 4 or more terms:

Factoring by Grouping
Example 2:
𝟐𝒙𝟑 - 𝟏𝟔𝒙𝟐 -8x+64

= 2( 𝑥 3 - 8𝑥 2 -4x+32)
= 2 [( 𝑥 3 - 8𝑥 2 ) + (-4x+32)]
= 2 [ 𝑥 2 (x-8) + -4(x-8)]
= 2 [(x−8) (𝑥 2 -4)]
= 2 [(x−8) (x−2) (x+2)]

𝟐𝒙𝟑 - 𝟏𝟔𝒙𝟐 -8x+64 = 2 [(x−8) (x−2) (x+2)]

 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 7.

Factoring by Grouping for Polynomials with 4 or more terms:

Factoring by Grouping
Example 3:
𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 10x+8
𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 6x+4x+8 = ( 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 6x) + (4x+8)
= 3x(x+ 2) + 4( x+2)
= (3x+4) (x+ 2)

𝟐
𝟑𝒙 + 10x+8 = (3x+4) (x+ 2)
 FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 7.

Factoring by Grouping for Polynomials with 4 or more terms:

Factoring by Grouping
Example 3:
𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 10x+8
𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 6x+4x+8 = ( 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 6x) + (4x+8)
= 3x(x+ 2) + 4( x+2)
= (3x+4) (x+ 2)

𝟐
𝟑𝒙 + 10x+8 = (3x+4) (x+ 2)
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 7.
Factoring by Grouping for Polynomials with 4 or more terms:
Factoring by Grouping

Try these on your own:

𝟑 𝟐
1. 𝟏𝟐𝒂 - 𝟗𝒂 +4𝒂 -3
𝟑 𝟐
2. 𝟐𝒑 + 𝟓𝒑 +𝟔p +15

3. 12xy- 28x-15y+35
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
• Method 7.
Factoring by Grouping for Polynomials with 4 or more terms:
Factoring by Grouping

Try these on your own:

1. 𝟏𝟐𝒂 - 𝟗𝒂 +4𝒂 -3 = (𝟑𝒂 +1) (4𝒂 -3 )

𝟑 𝟐 𝟐

𝟑 𝟐 𝟐
2. 𝟐𝒑 + 𝟓𝒑 +𝟔p +15= (𝒑 +3) (2p+5)

3. 12xy- 28x-15y+35 = (4x-5) (3y-7)

FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
Factor and simplify each polynomial completely using appropriate
methods.

𝟑 𝟐
1. 𝟏𝟐𝒙 - 𝟖𝒙

2. 𝒙𝟐 - 169

3. 𝟗𝒙𝟐 + 24x + 16

4. 𝟔𝒙𝟐 + 11x + 3
𝟑 𝟐
5. 𝒙 + 𝟑𝒙 + 2x + 6
FACTORIZING POLYNOMIALS
Factor and simplify each polynomial completely using appropriate
methods.

𝟑 𝟐 𝟐
1. 𝟏𝟐𝒙 - 𝟖𝒙 = 𝟒𝒙 (3x- 2)

2. 𝒙𝟐 - 169 =(x-13) (x+13)

3. 𝟗𝒙𝟐 + 24x + 16 = (3x+4)(3x+4)

4. 𝟔𝒙𝟐 + 11x + 3 = (3x+1) (2x+3)

𝟑 𝟐 𝟐
5. 𝒙 + 𝟑𝒙 + 2x + 6 = (𝒙 +2)(x+3)