WEEK 4 MODULE

COLLEGE ALGEBRA

Lesson 4: Factoring Formulas Time: 3 hours

Term: MIDTERM
About the Lesson: This lesson will give the learners an idea about the different factoring
formulas of polynomials such as greatest common factor, difference of two squares, perfect
square, sum of squares, sum of two cubes and factoring by grouping.

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Perform the factoring formulas such as:
 Greatest Common Factor
 Quadratic Trinomial
 Factoring by grouping
 Special product Formulas

Learning Resources

A. References
College Algebra – Fifth Edition by Mark Dugopolski

B. Other Online Learning Resources

https://www.skillscommons.org/bitstream/handle/taaccct/14259/STLCC_Portal_ALA_El
ementaryAlg_Module6_Workbook_Factoring.pdf?sequence=92&isAllowed=y

http://www.wallace.ccfaculty.org/book/6.5%20Factor%20Special%20Products.pdf

https://www.mcckc.edu/tutoring/docs/br/math/factoring/Factoring_Polynomials.pdf
Lesson Proper:
Activity # 01

Direction: Factor the following trinomials. Connect the two factors of each trinomial together to
figure out the joke.

"What do you call a government count of prisoners?"

2
x − 3x − 40 1. (3x − 5) L: ( x −15)
N: ( x − 3)
2
x − 9x +18 2. (6x −1)
U: (3x +1)
2
2x +13x − 7 3. (x − 6)
S: ( x +1)

2
3x +11x + 6 4. (x + 3) O: ( x − 4)
A: ( x − 2)
2
6x − 7x − 3 5. (2x − 5)
N: ( x + 5)

2
6x − 25x + 4 6. (x − 8) C: (4x + 3)
S: ( x + 7)
2
6x − 7x − 20 7. (2x −1)
E: (3x + 4)
2
12x −11x −15 8. (2x − 3)
C: (3x + 2)

2
8x +11x + 3 9. (8x + 3) R: (4x −1)
T: (3x − 2)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
 Lesson 4: Factoring Formulas

When factoring there are a few special products that, if we can recognize them, can help
us factor polynomials. It is very important not to confuse the meanings of “expanding” and
“factoring”. These two are exactly the opposite procedures of each other. Expanding literally
means “multiplying out” while factoring means writing the given expression as a product of
algebraic expressions.
 FACTORING
- The process of expressing a given number in terms of prime factors.
- The reverse of multiplying. To factor an expression means to write and equivalent
expression that is a product of two or more expression.
A. Factoring by GREATEST COMMON FACTOR
Factoring out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is perhaps the most used type of
factoring because it occurs as part of the process of factoring other types of products.

ax +bx=x ( a+b)

 To factor out common factor, divide each term of the polynomials by the
product of the greatest common factor.
Common Factor – a factor contained in every term of an algebraic expression
Greatest Common Factor – the highest factor which is common to all terms in an
algebraic expression.

To find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF):

a. Factor each completely; and
b. Multiply all common factors:
Examples:
Find the GCF, then factor:
1. 15 x 2−10 x y 2
Solution:
Prime Factors of 15 x 2 5 ∙3 ∙ x ∙ x
5∙x
Prime factors of −10 x y 2 5 ∙−2 ∙ x ∙ y ∙ y

GCF¿ 5 x
¿ 5 x [ ( 15 x 2 ÷ 5 x )−(10 xy 2 ÷ 5 x ) ]

Factored 1st term divided 2nd term divided

Out GCF by GCF by GCF

¿ 5 x( 3 x −2 y 2 )
 2. 12 x2 y 5−30 x 4 y 2

Solution:
Prime Factors of 12 x2 y 5 2 ∙3 ∙ 2∙ x ∙ x ∙ y ∙ y ∙ y ∙ y ∙ y
Prime factors of −30 x 4 y 2 −5 ∙3 ∙ 2∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ y ∙ y

3 ∙2 ∙ x ∙ x ∙ y ∙ y

GCF¿ 6 x 2 y 2

12 x2 y 5 30 x 4 y 2
¿ 6 x2 y2
[( 2 2
6x y
−)( 2 2
6x y )]
¿ 6 x 2 y 2 (2 y 3−5 x 2)

3. 8 a 2 b c 2−24 a3 b2 c+16 a b2 c3

Solution:
Prime Factors:

8 a 2 b c 2=¿ 2 ∙2 ∙ 2∙ a ∙ a∙ b ∙ c ∙ c

2 ∙2 ∙ 2∙ 3 ∙a ∙ a ∙ a ∙b ∙ b ∙ c
−24 a3 b 2 c =¿

2 ∙2 ∙ 2∙ 2∙ a ∙ b ∙b ∙ c ∙ c ∙ c
16 a b 2 c 3=¿

2 ∙2 ∙ 2∙ a ∙ b∙ c

GCF¿ 8 abc

8 a2 b c 2 24 a3 b2 c 16 a b 2 c 3
¿ 8 abc [( 8 abc )(
−
8 abc
+ )(
8 abc )]
¿ 8 abc ¿

4. 3 a z 3+ 2 a2 z 2 +4 a3 z 4
 Factor out GCF by inspection:
a. Notice that the numerical coefficients of the terms have no common factors.
b. From the variable, take the least exponent.
c. Hence the GCF is a z 2, therefore the factor are:
 3 a z3 2 a2 z 2 4 a3 z 4
¿a z 2
[( ) ( ) ( ) ]
a z2
+
a z2
+
a z2

¿ a z2 ¿

Activity # 02:

B. FACTORING BY DIFFERENCE OF TWO SQUARES

a 2−b2=(a+ b)(a−b)

- The difference of the squares of two terms can be factored as the sum and difference of
their square roots.
Conditions: 1. There must be two terms, both of which are perfect
squares.

2. The operation between two terms is SUBTRACTION.

Step in Factoring by Difference of Two squares:

Step 1: Decide if the four terms have anything in common, called the greatest
common factor or GCF. If so, factor out the GCF. Do not forget to include the GCF
as part of your final answer.
 Step 2: Every difference of squares problem can be factored as follows:
a 2−b2=(a+ b)(a – b)∨(a – b)(a+b). So, all you need to do to factor these types of
problems is to determine what numbers squares will produce the desired results.

Step 3: Determine if the remaining factors can be factored any further.

Examples:

Factor the following:

1. x 2−36

Solution:

x 2=¿ The first term is a perfect square.

36=¿ The second term is a perfect square.

¿ √ x2 + √ 36

2. 4 x2 −81

Solution:

Step 1: Decide if the four terms have anything in common, called the greatest
common factor or GCF. If so, factor out the GCF. Do not forget to include the
GCF as part of your final answer. In this case, the two terms only have a 1 in
common which is of no help.

4 x2 −81

Step 2: To factor this problem into the form (a+ b)(a – b) , you need to determine
what squares will equal4 x2  and what squared will equal 81. In this case the
choices are2 x and 9 because (2 x)(2 x) =4 x2 and (9)(9)=81.

( 2 x+ 9 )( 2 x−9 )
or
( 2 x−9 ) ( 2 x +9 )
Step 3: Determine if any of the remaining factors can be factored further. In this
case they cannot so the final answer is:

( 2 x+ 9 )( 2 x−9 )
or
( 2 x−9 ) ( 2 x +9 )

3. 9 x 3−81 x

Solution:

Step 1: Decide if the four terms have anything in common, called the greatest
common factor or GCF. If so, factor out the GCF. Do not forget to include the
GCF as part of your final answer. In this case, the two terms have a 9x in
common, which leaves:

9 x 3−81 x
¿ 9 x (x¿ ¿2−9) ¿
Step 2: To factor this problem into the form (a+ b)(a – b) , you need to determine
what squares will equal x 2and what squared will equal 9. In this case the choices
are x and 3 because ( x)(x )=x 2 and (3)(3)=9

9 x ( x +3 ) ( x−3 )
or
9 x ( x−3)(x +3)

Step 3: Determine if any of the remaining factors can be factored further. In this
case they cannot so the final answer is:

9 x ( x +3 ) ( x−3 )
or
9 x ( x−3)(x +3)
4. 18 x 2−98 y 2

Solution:

Step 1: Decide if the four terms have anything in common, called the greatest
common factor or GCF. If so, factor out the GCF. Do not forget to include the
GCF as part of your final answer. In this case, the two terms have a 2 in common,
which leaves:
 18 x 2−98 y 2
¿ 2(9 x ¿ ¿ 2−49 y 2 )¿
Step 2: To factor this problem into the form (a+ b)(a – b), you need to determine
what squares will equal 9 x 2 and what squared will equal 49 y 2. In this case the
choices are 3 x and 7 y because (3 x)(3 x )=9 x 2 and (7 y )(7 y)=49 y 2
2 ( 3 x +7 y ) ( 3 x −7 y )
or
2(3 x−7 y )(3 x+7 y )

Step 3: Determine if any of the remaining factors can be factored further. In this
case they cannot so the final answer is:

2 ( 3 x +7 y ) ( 3 x −7 y )
or
2(3 x−7 y )(3 x+7 y )

Activity # 03:
 C. FACTORING a QUADRATIC TRINOMIAL
 If the trinomial in the form x 2+ bx+ c is not a perfect square trinomial, then this
can be factored by choosing two numbers with product c and sum b.
 The two numbers may be both positive, both negative, and one may be positive
and the other negative.

x 2+ b+c
Reverse FOIL.
Mentally work backwards from what we know about FOIL. This works best for the
simple case, when a = 1. It is a lot harder when a ≠ 1.

Step in Reverse FOIL:

Step 1: List the factors for c.

Step 2: If the sign of c is positive, the signs of the binomial are the same. If c is positive,
then the signs are positive; if c is negative, the signs are negative. We want the factors
that ADD up to b.

Step 3: If the sign of c is negative, one of the binomials will have a positive sign, and the
other will be negative. We want the factors that SUBTRACT to make b (we are still
adding, but since they have opposite signs, we will essentially be subtracting; it is
important to consider the sign when we add these numbers of different signs).

Examples:

1. Factor: x 2+ 5 x +6

Solution:

a=1 b=5 c=6

Step 1: List the factors for c.

Factors of 6 Sum of Factors

6 ×1 7
−6 ×−1 −7
3 ×2 5
−3 ×−2 −5

Since the product of 3 and 2 is 6(which is equal to c) and the sum of 3 and 2 is 5
(which is equal to b), then the factored form of x 2+ 5 x +6 is ( x +3)(x+ 2).
 2. Factor: x 2+ 6 x−16

Solution:

a=1 b=6 c=−16

Step 1: List the factors for c.

Factors of -16 Sum of Factors

16 ×−1 15
−16 ×1 −15
−4 × 4 0
8 ×−2 6
−8 ×2 −6

Since the product of 8 and -2 is -16(which is equal to c) and the sum of 8 and -2 is 6
(which is equal to b), then the factored form of x 2+ 6 x−16is ( x +8)(x−2).

3. Factor: x 2−5 x−14

Reverse FOIL.

x 2−5 x−14

Solution:

a=1 b=−5 c=−14

Step 1: List the factors for c.

Factors of -14 Sum of Factors

14 ×−1 13
−14 × 1 −13
7 ×−2 5
−7 ×2 −5

Since the product of -7 and 2 is -14(which is equal to c) and the sum of -7 and 2 is
-5(which is equal to b), then the factored form of x 2−5 x−14 is ( x−7)(x +2).
 4. Factor: p2−9 p+14

Solution:

a=1 b=−9 c=−14

Step 1: List the factors for c.

Factors of -14 Sum of Factors

14 × 1 15
−14 ×−1 −15
7 ×2 9
−7 ×−2 −9

Thus, p2−9 p+14 is ( x−7)(x−2).

C.2 TRINOMIALS WITH A LEADING COEFFICIENT OTHER THAN 1.

ax 2 +b+ c

By Trial and Error Method:

Steps: a. Choose the factors of the first and third terms.

b. Find out if the cross product of these factors will give sum equal to the middle
term.
c. If so, then form two binomials whose product is equal to the given trinomial.

Examples:
1. Factor: 15 x 2+2 x−8
Solution:

Factors of: 15 x 2=5 x ∙ 3 x

−8=4 ∙ 2

Cross Product: ( 5 x )(−2 ) =−10 x

( 3 x )( 4 )=12 x
Sum of Cross Product: 2x Final Answer: (5 x+ 4)(3 x−2)
 2. Factor: 3 x 2+7 x +2
Solution:

Factors of: 3 x 2=3 x ∙ x

2=1 ∙ 2

Cross Product: ( 3 x )( 2 )=6 x

( x )( 1 ) =x Final Answer: (3 x+ 2)(x +1)

Sum of Cross Product: 7x

3. Factor: 5 x 2−13 x+6

Solution:

Factors of: 5 x 2=5 x ∙ x

6=−3 ∙−2

Cross Product: ( 5 x )(−2 ) =−10 x

( x )(−3 )=−3 x Final Answer: (5 x−2)( x−3)

Sum of Cross Product: −13 x

Activity # 04:
D. SUM AND DIFFERENCE OF TWO CUBES

a 3+ b3=(a+b)( a2−ab+ b2 )

a 3−b3 =(a−b)(a 2+ ab+b 2)

The factors of the sum of two cubes include the sum of a binomial and a trinomial
with alternate “+” and “-“ signs.
The factors of the difference of two cubes include the difference of a binomial and a
trinomial whose terms are positive.
Step in Factoring Sum and Difference of Two Cubes:

Step 1: Decide if the two terms have anything in common, called the greatest common
factor or GCF, if so, factor out the GCF. Do not forget to include the GCF as part of your
final answer.

Step 2: Get the cube root of the 1st term, then the 2nd term to get the binomial factor.

Step 3: To get the 1st term of the trinomial factor, square the 1st term of the binomial
factor.

Step 4: Next, multiply the terms of the binomial factor to create the last term of the
trinomial factor. SIGNS ARE OPPOSITE:

Step 5: Finally, get the square of the 2nd term of the binomial to create the last term of the
trinomial.

Examples:

1. Factor: x 3+ 27

Solution:

x 3+ 27 ¿ x 3+ 33 ¿( x +3)( x 2−3 x+ 9)

√3 x 3 ⇒ x ⇒cube root of the first term

√3 33 ⇒ x ⇒ cube root of the second term
2. Factor: 125 m3−n3

Solution:

125 m3−n3 ¿ 53 m3−n3 ¿(5 m−n)( 25 m2 +3 mn+n2 )

 √3 53 ⇒ 5⇒ cube root of the leading coefficient
√3 m3 ⇒ m⇒cube root of the first term
√3 n3 ⇒n ⇒ cube root of the second term
3. Factor: 1+8 b3

Solution:

1+8 b3 ¿ 13 +23 b3 ¿(1+2 b)(1−2b+ 4 b 2)

√3 13 ⇒ 1 ⇒cube root of the first term

√3 23 ⇒ 2⇒ cube ro ot of the leading coefficient
√3 b3 ⇒b ⇒ cube root of the second term
Activity # 05:
E. FACTORING BY GROUP

To factor complicated expressions, follow these steps:

a. Group the terms of the polynomial.

b. Use any method of factoring
c. Take note that if the group of terms is preceded by a negative sign, changed the
sign of the terms inside the groupings symbol.

Examples:

1. Factor: 2 c ( a−b )+ d (a−b)

Solution:

¿ 2 c ( a−b )+ d (a−b) (Take the common factor out in this case (a-b) and then
multiply to the sum of remaining factors.)
¿ ( a−b ) (2 c +d )

2. Factor: bx +by +2 hx+ 2hy

Solution:

¿ bx +by +2 hx+ 2hy (Group the terms.)

¿ ( bx +by ) + ( 2 hx+2 hy ) (Take the GCF.)

¿ b ( x + y ) +2 h ( x + y ) (Take the common factor out in this case (x+y) and then
multiply to the sum of remaining factors.)
¿ ( x+ y )( b+ 2 h )

3. Factor: 6 x 2+ 9 x y−14 x – 21 y

Solution:

¿ 6 x 2+ 9 x y−14 x – 21 y (Group the terms.)

¿ ( 6 x 2+ 9 x y ) −( 14 x – 21 y ) (Take the GCF.)

¿ 3 x ( 2 x+3 y ) −7 ( 2 x +3 y ) (Take the common factor out in this case (x+y)

and then multiply to the sum of remaining
¿ ( 2 x+3 y ) ( 3 x −7 )
factors.)
 Activity # 06:

Generalization:

 For all polynomials, first factor out the greatest common factor (GCF).

 For a binomial, check to see if it is any of the following:

1. difference of squares: x 2 – y 2 = ( x + y) ( x – y)

2. difference of cubes: x 3 – y 3 = ( x – y) ( x 2 + xy + y 2)

3. sum of cubes: x 3 + y 3 = ( x + y) ( x 2 – xy + y 2)

 For a trinomial, check to see whether it is either of the following forms:

1. x 2 + bx + c:

If so, find two integers whose product is c and whose sum is b. For example,

x 2 + 8 x + 12 = ( x + 2)( x + 6)

since (2)(6) = 12 and 2 + 6 = 8

2. ax 2 + bx + c:

If so, find two binomials so that

 the product of first terms = ax 2

 the product of last terms = c

 the sum of outer and inner products = bx