Factoring Polynomials

by Grouping

Mr. Thomas

Essential Question
How can you use the greatest common factor to factor
polynomials?
Find the greatest common factor of a polynomial and write an
equivalent expression that is a product of the greatest
common factor and a new polynomial with the GCF factored
out.

Mr. Thomas

Factoring and Greatest

Common Factor
Factors that are shared by two or more whole numbers are
called common factors. The greatest of these common factors
is called the greatest common factor, or GCF.

Mr. Thomas

Greatest Common Factor of Monomials

To find the GCF of monomials, factor each
coefficient and write all powers of variables
as products. Then find the product of the
common factors.

Find the GCF of each pair of monomials.

3x

6x

15g

45g

Mr. Thomas

Factoring by Using the GCF

Remember that the Distributive Property
states that ab + ac = a(b + c).
Use the Distributive Property to factor out
the GCF of the terms in a polynomial to write
the polynomial in factored form.

Factor each polynomial. Check your answer.

10y + 20y 5y
3

12x 8x

Mr. Thomas

Factoring Out a Common Binomial Factor

Sometimes the GCF of the terms in an
expression is a binomial. Such a GCF is
called a common binomial factor. You factor
out a common binomial factor the same way
you factor out a monomial factor.

Factor each expression.

7(x 3) 2x(x 3)

t(t + 4) + (t + 4)
2

Mr. Thomas

Lets Practice
Factor each expression.
18g 2
27g

8x + 4 x 2x
4

9ab
16bc

28y 2 12y 5

7x(2x + 3) + (2x + 3)

5x(x + 3) 4(3 + x)

Mr. Thomas

Factoring By Grouping
Some polynomials can be factored by
grouping. When a polynomial has four
terms, you may be able to make two groups
and factor the GCF from each.

Factor each expression.

12a 9a + 20a 15
3

2g + 10g + g + 5
4

Mr. Thomas

Lets Practice
Factor each expression.

6b + 8b + 9b + 12
3

4r + 24r + r + 6
3

Mr. Thomas

Factoring Polynomials
by Grouping
There are many different applications of factoring by grouping.
We will be examining factoring by grouping as it applies to trinomials of the form

ax + bx + c
2

Mr. Thomas

Review
Notice:

(x+ 4)(x+ 6)

Mr. Thomas

Review
Whenever you multiply two binomials, you create
two "middle" terms, which in many cases are "like"
terms. It is the creation of these "middle" terms which
becomes the focus of the process of factoring by
grouping for a trinomial. This method is often called
"split the middle" since it endeavors to create two
"middle" terms which will make the factoring process
easier.

Mr. Thomas

Review
Factoring by grouping is a valuable strategy. It can
be used on a variety of problems and is popular in
college mathematics textbooks. You will definitely
see this process again.

Mr. Thomas

Process of Factoring
by Grouping:

Mr. Thomas

To factor a trinomial of the form

2
ax + bx + c:
1. Always check for any common factors before you begin. It will
make finding the solution easier.
2. Find a c (referred to as the Master Product).
3. Find two new factors of ac and a+c that add up to b .
4. Split the middle term into two terms using the sum of the two new
factors, including the proper signs.The order of the middle terms
does not matter. They will give the correct answer in either order.
5. Group the four terms to form two pairs. Be careful of the signs. (See
example below for dealing with grouping a negative middle term.)
6. Factor each pair by finding the common factors.
7. Factor out the common (shared) binomial.

Example

Factor:

2
8x

+ 26x + 15

Mr. Thomas

Example
1. Always check for any common factors before
you begin. It will make finding the solution
easier.
There are no common factors in this trinomial.

Mr. Thomas

Example
2. Find a c (referred to as the Master Product).
a c = 8 15 = 120

Mr. Thomas

Example
3. Find two new factors of ac and a+c that add
up to b . Let the two factors be m and n. Then
m n = 120 and m + n = 26. The new factors are
m = 20 and n = 6.
New factors:
20 6 = 120
20 + 6 = 26
Mr. Thomas

Example
4. Split the middle term into two terms using the
sum of the two new factors, including the
proper signs.The order of the middle terms does
not matter. They will give the correct answer in
either order.
8x2 + 20x + 6x + 15
order of middle terms does not matter

Mr. Thomas

Example
5. Group the four terms to form two pairs. Be
careful of the signs. (See example below for
dealing with grouping a negative middle term.)
(8x2 + 20x) + (6x + 15)

Mr. Thomas

Example
6. Factor each pair by finding the common
factors.
4x(2x + 5) + 3(2x + 5)

Mr. Thomas

Example
7. Factor out the common (shared) binomial.
(2x + 5)(4x + 3)

Mr. Thomas

Lets Practice
Factor each expression.

Mr. Thomas