QA – Factorization

FACTORIZATION OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION

When factorizing quadratic equations, there is generally nothing that is common in every
term. In this case, we cannot pull a constant value out and rewrite the problem.

The final representation of the equation has to be in the form, (x + a) x (x + b). The trick is
knowing how to find a and b.

2 step process
y2 + 4y – 12=0
Step 1: Start with the constant term. In this particular case, the constant term is -12.
Factorize -12 into groups. Each group is a set of two numbers that when multiplied together
will give -12. With the number -12, these can be the following groups:
{-1,12}, {-2,6}, (-3,4), {1.-12}, {2,-6}, {3,-4}
Now you have six different groups.

Step 2: The next step is to find out the coefficient of the ly' term and the number to be
multiplied by ly' in the quadratic equation. In this case, that number is 4. Now, we have to
find out which one of the group will give us 4, when the two numbers of each group are
added together.
If you add -1 and 12, you get 11. This is not correct, So, try again.
If you add -2 and 6, then you get 4. This is the required group.
The numbers that you choose in the group (in this case -2 and 6) will be the a and the
b that we have been looking for. Which one you chose for a and which you chose for b does
not matter. I will just use a = -2 and b = 6,
[y + (2)] x (y + 6)
= (y – 2) (y + 6)

Therefore +bx+c=0⟹ (x – ) = 0, where are the roots of

quardratic equation.

Solved Examples:

1) The length of a rectangle is 7 cm more than it width. The area is 60 Find the
dimensions of the rectangle.
SOLUTION: Let width of the rectancle = x
Length of the rectangle = (x + 7) cm.
Area of rectangle = (x + 7) x x
⟹ (x + 7) (x) = 60
⟹ + 7x - 60 = 0
⟹ (x + 12) (x - 5) = 0
⟹ x = 12 and x = 5
Since width can never be negative, therefore x =5 cm at x+7 = 12 cm are the required
values.

Proprietary and Confidential ABS Classes 1

QA – Factorization

i.e., Lengh = 12 cm andwidth = 5

2) A passenger train takes 2 hours less for a journey 300 km if its speed is increased by
5km/hr from its usual speed. Find the usual speed of the train.
SOLUTION: Let the usual speed of the train be x km/hr
Usual time = = hour
If the speed is increased by 5 km/hr i.e., (x + 5) km/hr,
the time = - =2
⟹ 2x(x+5) = 1500
⟹ 0
⟹ x = 25 or x = - 30
Speed = 25 km/hr (x = - 30 is inadmissible)

3) A two digit number is such that the product of digits is 12. When 36 is added to the
number, its digits are reveres. Find the number.
SOLUTION Let the number be 10x + y
xy = 12 ⟹ y =
the number is 10x +
And the number with digits reversed is
10y + x = 10 ( )- x = +x
( ) + 36 = +x
⟹ 10x – x + - + 36 =0
⟹ 9x + (12 – 120) + 36 = 0
⟹ 9x - + 36 = 0
⟹ + 36x – 108 = 0
x = 2 or x = - 6
y= = = 6 (x = - 6 is inadmissible)
Hence, the number is 10x +y = 10 x 2 + 6 = 20 + 6 = 26

Proprietary and Confidential ABS Classes 2