Mathematics 8

Most Essential Learning Competencies

The learner …
1. Factors completely different types of polynomials (polynomials with common monomial
factor, difference of two squares, sum and difference of two cubes, perfect square
trinomials, and general trinomials). M8AL-Ia-b-1
2. Solves problems involving factors of polynomials. M8AL-Ib-2

Specific Learning Outcomes

The learners will be able to:
1. Factor completely different types of polynomials.
2. Solves problems involving factors of polynomials.

LESSON 1: FACTORING POLYNOMIALS EXPRESSIONS

• INTRODUCTION
“Mathematics is the music of reason.” – James Joseph Sylvester

• PRE-ACTIVITY
Directions: Find each of the following products and write your answers on a separate sheet
of paper.

1) (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 5) 2) (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3)

• ANALYSIS
Each product you have formed are the result of multiplying the factors of those expressions.
For example:
(𝒙 + 𝟐)(𝒙 + 𝟖)

One way of finding the product of this expression is to use the FOIL method where we
multiply both the FIRST (F) terms, then OUTER (O) terms, next INNER (I) terms and finally
the LAST (L) terms. Which would look like this:

F (𝑥 )(𝑥 ) 𝑥2
O (𝑥 )(8) 8𝑥
10𝑥
I (2)(𝑥 ) 2𝑥
L (2)(8) 16

Which would result to:

𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟔

1|P age
 Now, remember that (𝑥+2)(𝑥+ 8) are the factors of the product 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟔.

There are several ways to find the factors of various polynomial expressions. To know
more, please continue reading this module.

• DISCUSSION
If an expression has more than three terms, it is sometimes possible to factor by rearranging
its terms into smaller groups.

Example 1: Factor 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑦 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦.

Solution:
𝑎 is a common factor 𝑏 is a common factor
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑦 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦

= 𝑎 (𝑥 + 𝑦 ) + 𝑏 (𝑥 + 𝑦 ) (𝑥 + 𝑦) is a common factor.
= (𝑥 + 𝑦 ) + (𝑥 + 𝑦 )
Therefore, 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑦 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑎 + 𝑏).

Example 2: Factor 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏 + 𝑎 − 1.

Solution:
Different Ways of Grouping
One grouping A different grouping

𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏 + 𝑎 − 1 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎 − 𝑏 − 1

= 𝑏 (𝑎 − 1) + 1 (𝑎 − 1) = 𝑎 (𝑏 + 1) − 1 (𝑏 + 1)

= (𝑎 − 1) (𝑏 + 1) = (𝑏 + 1) (𝑎 − 1)
Same factors

Therefore, 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏 + 𝑎 − 1 = (𝑎 − 1) (𝑏 + 1) = (𝑏 + 1)(𝑎 − 1).

Example 2 shows that it is sometimes possible to group terms differently and still be able to
factor the expression. The same factors are obtained no matter what grouping is used. However,
in some cases, only one specific grouping leads to successful factoring. See Example 3.

Example 3: Factor 𝑢2 + 3𝑢 − 𝑣 2 + 3𝑣.

Attempt 1 Attempt 2

𝑢2 + 3𝑢 − 𝑣 2 + 3𝑣 𝑢2 − 𝑣 2 + 3𝑢 + 3𝑣

= 𝑢 (𝑢 + 1) − 𝑣 (𝑣 − 3) = (𝑢 + 𝑣 )(𝑢 − 𝑣 ) + 3(𝑢 + 𝑣 )

Since these two terms do not have a = (𝑢 + 𝑣 )(𝑢 − 𝑣 + 3)

common factor and this grouping does not
lead to another factoring process, we try a
different grouping.

Therefore, from Attempt 2, 𝑢2 − 𝑣 2 + 3𝑢 + 3𝑣 = (𝑢 + 𝑣 )(𝑢 − 𝑣 + 3).

2|P age
 In Examples 1 to 3, we factored the polynomials by first considering two groups of two
terms each, but we sometimes must consider groups with different numbers of terms. See
Examples 4 and 5.

Example 4: Factor 𝑎2 − 𝑎 − 6 + 𝑎𝑏 − 3𝑏.

𝑎2 − 𝑎 − 6 + 𝑎𝑏 − 3𝑏
= (𝑎 + 2)(𝑎 − 3) + 𝑏(𝑎 − 3)
= (𝑎 − 3)(𝑎 + 2 + 𝑏)
Therefore, 𝑎2 − 𝑎 − 6 + 𝑎𝑏 − 3𝑏 = (𝑎 − 3)(𝑎 + 𝑏 + 2).

Example 5: Factor 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 − 49.

Attempt 1 Attempt 2

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 − 49 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 − 49

= 𝑥 (𝑥 + 2𝑦) + (𝑦 − 7)(𝑦 + 7) = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 + 𝑦) − 49

= [(𝑥 + 𝑦) + 7][(𝑥 + 𝑦) − 7]
Since these two terms do not lead to further
factoring, we try a different grouping.
= (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 7)(𝑥 + 𝑦 − 7)

Examples 3 and 5 show that rearranging the terms of a polynomial into smaller groups and
attempting to factor them are essentially a trial-and-error process. From algebraic clues and
experience, we attempt various arrangements of the terms either until we find one that enables
us to complete the factoring or until all possibilities have failed, which means the original
expression is prime.

Major Mistake Territory!

An expression is not completely factored until it has been written as a single
term that is a product of factors. To illustrate this, consider Example 1 again.

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑦 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦

= 𝑎 (𝑥 + 𝑦 ) + 𝑏 (𝑥 + 𝑦 ) This expression is not in factored form

First term Second term
because it has two terms.

= (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑎 + 𝑏) Factored form of 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑦 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦

Single term

➢ Factoring Special Products

▪ Factoring the Difference of Two Squares

For all real numbers 𝒂 and 𝒃,
𝑎2 − 𝑏2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏).

Example 6: 16𝑥 2 − 𝑦 4

Solution:
Rewrite as the difference of squares.

3|P age
 16𝑥 2 − 𝑦 4 = (4𝑥 )2 − (𝑦 2 )2

= (𝟒𝒙 + 𝒚𝟐 )(𝟒𝒙 − 𝒚𝟐 )

Similarly, by expanding the following products, we can discover how to factor the sum or
difference of two cubes.
(𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 ) = 𝑎(𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 ) + 𝑏 (𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )
= 𝑎3 − 𝑎2 𝑏 + 𝑎𝑏2 + 𝑎2 𝑏 − 𝑎𝑏2 + 𝑏3
= 𝒂𝟑 + 𝒃𝟑

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

= 𝑎3 + 𝑎2 𝑏 + 𝑎𝑏2 − 𝑎2 𝑏 − 𝑎𝑏2 − 𝑏3
= 𝒂𝟑 − 𝒃𝟑

▪ Factoring the Sum or Difference of Two Cubes

For all real numbers 𝒂 and 𝒃,
𝑎3 + 𝑏3 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 ) and
𝑎3 − 𝑏3 = (𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 ).

The similarity of 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 to 𝑎3 + 𝑏3 and 𝑎3 − 𝑏3 to 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 leads some students to try

to factor 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 . But 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 cannot be factored over the real numbers.

Example 7: 8𝑚3 − 𝑛3

Solution: 8𝑚3 − 𝑛3 = (2𝑚)3 − 𝑛3

= (2𝑚 − 𝑛)[(2𝑚2 ) + 2𝑚𝑛 + 𝑛2 ]

= (2𝑚 − 𝑛)(4𝑚2 + 2𝑚𝑛 + 𝑛2 )

Example 8: 𝑥 6 + 27𝑦 3

Solution:

First, rewrite the expression as the sum of two cubes.

𝑥 6 + 27𝑦 3 = (𝑥 2 )3 − (3𝑦)3

= (𝑥 2 + 3𝑦)[(𝑥 2 )2 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + (3𝑦)2 ]

= (𝑥 2 + 3𝑦)(𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 9𝑦 2 )

▪ To Factor the Sum or Difference of Two Cubes (𝒂𝟑 ± 𝒃𝟑 )

1. Make a blank outline. The factors are always a binomial and a trinomial.
( ) ( )
2. Form the binomial factor by finding the cube root of each term in the binomial.
(𝑎 ± 𝑏 )
The cube root of the last term of the binomial
The same sign as that of the given (+ for the sum of two cubes and – for
difference of two cubes)
The cube root of the first term of the binomial.

4|P age
 3. Form the trinomial factor from the binomial factor found in step 2.
(𝑎2 ∓ 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )
The square of the last term of the binomial
Always a + sign
Multiplying the two binomial terms together
The opposite sign of the operation used in the binomial
Square the first term of the binomial

4. The final result is:

𝑎3 + 𝑏3 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )
𝑎3 − 𝑏3 = (𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )

Major Mistake Territory!

A common mistake that students make is to think that the middle
term of the trinomial factor is 2𝑎𝑏 instead of 𝑎𝑏.

(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
𝑎3 + 𝑏3 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )
𝑛𝑜𝑡 2𝑎𝑏

➢ Factoring a Perfect Square Trinomial

For all real numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏,
𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)2
𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 = (𝑎 − 𝑏)2

A perfect square trinomial is a trinomial that can be expressed as the square binomial.
The following are examples of perfect square trinomials.

Perfect Square Trinomial Factors Square of a Binomial

𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 3) = (𝑥 + 3)2
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9 = (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 3) = (𝑥 − 3)2
𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25 = (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 5) = (𝑥 + 5)2
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25 = (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 − 5) = (𝑥 − 5)2

➢ Factoring by Completing the Square

Sometimes, it is possible to add a term to a given binomial or trinomial to make it a trinomial
that factors into a binomial squared. Of course, when a term is added to a polynomial, the
same team must also be subtracted so that the value of the original expression in unchanged.
This is an application of additive inverses and the addition property of zero.
𝑎 + (−𝑎) = 0 Additive inverses
𝑥+0=0 Addition property of zero
𝑥 + (𝑎) + (−𝑎) = 𝑥 Substitution

5|P age
 Factoring by completing the square works if the term to be subtracted is a perfect square
so that the difference between the perfect square trinomial and the subtracted term will be a
difference of two squares. See Example 8.

Example 9: Factor 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 2 + 1.

(𝑥 2 + 1) Form a binomial by taking the square root of the first and

last terms of 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 2 + 1.
(𝑥 2 + 1)2 Square the binomial just formed.
= 𝑥4 + 𝑥2 + 1 Notice that + 𝑥 2 must be added to 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 2 + 1 to obtain
𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 + 1.

𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 + 1 Since 𝑥 2 is added and also

subtracted, the value of 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 2 + 1
+ 𝑥2 − 𝑥2 is unchanged.

𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 + 1 = 𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 + 1 − 𝑥 2
Perfect square trinomial

(𝑥 2 + 1)2 − (𝑥 )2 We now have a difference of two squares.

[(𝑥 2 + 1) + 𝑥 ][(𝑥 2 + 1) − 𝑥)]
(𝑥 2 + 1 + 𝑥) (𝑥 2 + 1 − 𝑥)
Therefore, 𝒙𝟒 + 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 = (𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 + 𝟏) (𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 + 𝟏).

Example 10: Factor 𝑎4 + 4.

(𝑎2 + 2)2 = 𝑎4 + 4𝑎2 + 4 Form the binomial from the square root of the
first and last terms. Square it to form the
perfect square trinomial.

𝑎4 +4 The term to be added and subtracted

2 2 to form a perfect square trinomial.
+4𝑎 − 4𝑎

𝑎4 + 4 = 𝑎4 + 4𝑎2 + 4 − 4𝑎2
Perfect square trinomial Factor the perfect square trinomial.

(𝑎2 + 2)2 − (2𝑎)2 Difference of two squares

[(𝑎2 + 2) + 2𝑎][(𝑎2 + 2) − 2𝑎]

Therefore, 𝒂𝟒 + 𝟒 = (𝒂𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂 + 𝟐)(𝒂𝟐 − 𝟐𝒂 + 𝟐).

Example 11: Factor ℎ4 − 6ℎ2 𝑘 2 + 25𝑘 4 .

For the trinomial be a perfect square, the middle term must be 2√ℎ4 2√25𝑘 4 =
10ℎ2 𝑘 2 . Therefore, we must add 16ℎ2 𝑘 2 to the middle term −6ℎ2 𝑘 2 to get 10ℎ2 𝑘 2 .
Since 16ℎ2 𝑘 2 is a perfect square, the method of completing the square works.
ℎ4 − 6ℎ2 𝑘 2 + 25𝑘 4
+16ℎ2 𝑘 2 − 16ℎ2 𝑘 2
ℎ4 − 6ℎ2 𝑘 2 + 25𝑘 4 = ℎ4 + 10ℎ2 𝑘 2 + 25𝑘 4 − 16ℎ2 𝑘 2
= (ℎ2 + 5𝑘 2 )2 − (4ℎ𝑘 )2
= [(ℎ2 + 5𝑘 2 ) + 4ℎ𝑘 ][(ℎ2 + 5𝑘 2 ) − 4ℎ𝑘 ]

Therefore, 𝒉𝟒 − 𝟔𝒉𝟐 𝒌𝟐 + 𝟐𝟓𝒌𝟒 = (𝒉𝟐 + 𝟒𝒉𝒌 + 𝟓𝒌𝟐 )(𝒉𝟐 − 𝟒𝒉𝒌 + 𝟓𝒌𝟐 ).

6|P age
 A trinomial must meet certain conditions for the method of factoring by completing the
square to be successful.

Conditions Necessary for Factoring by Completing the Square

1. The first and last terms must be positive perfect squares.
2. Any literal factor in the first and last terms must have an exponent
divisible by four.
3. The perfect square trinomial must be formed by adding a positive
term.
4. The term added must itself be a perfect square.

➢ Factoring Algebraic Expressions of the Form 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄

Recall that we use the FOIL method to expand the following:
F O I L
(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 4) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 12
= 𝑥 2 + (4 + 3)𝑥 + 12
= 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟏𝟐
To factor 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟏𝟐 is to reverse the process FOIL.

Consider factorizing 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3. We use the inspection method (also known as the

trial-and-error method) as follows:
Step 1: Check if the algebraic expression is written in the standard form 𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐.
We have 𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 3
First term Middle term Last term

The given expression is in the correct form. Since the first term is 𝑥 2 , its linear factors
must be 𝑥 and 𝑥.

Step 2: Find all the factor pairs of the last term, 𝑐.

In this case, the last term 3 is positive, so its factors must have the same signs.
Case 1:
𝑥2 3
𝑥 3
Factors of first term 𝒙𝟐 Factors of first term 𝟑

𝑥 1
Sum of the cross products = 3𝑥 + 𝑥 = 4𝑥 Middle term

Case 2:
𝑥2 3
𝑥 −3
Factors of first term 𝒙𝟐 Factors of first term 𝟑

𝑥 −1
Sum of the cross products = −3𝑥 − 𝑥 = −4𝑥 Middle term

7|P age
 Step 3: Identify the factor pair whose sum of the cross products is the same as the middle
term of the given expression.
Only the pair of factors whose sum of the cross products is equal to the middle term
is the answer.
𝑥 1 1 1 𝑥 1 1 1

𝑥 𝑥

1 1
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1)

Thus, (𝑥 + 3) and (𝑥 + 1) are the required factors.

Step 4: Write down the factorization.

Thus, 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1).

We can check this answer using the FOIL method to ensure that the factors are correct.
Check: (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 3
= 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟑

When the coefficient of the squared term is 1, there is an important relationship between the
coefficient of the 𝑥-term and the constant. In every perfect square trinomial of this type, the
constant term is the square of one-half the coefficient of the 𝑥-term.
Consider the perfect square trinomial 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9. The coefficient of the 𝑥-term is −6 and the
constant is 9. Note that the constant 9, is the square of one-half the coefficient of the 𝑥-term.

𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9

2
1
[ (−6)] = (−3)2 = 9
2
Consider the perfect square trinomial 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25. The coefficient of the 𝑥-term is −10 and
the constant is 25. Note that
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25

2
1
[ (−10)] = (−5)2 = 25
2

Practice:
Consider the expression 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + . Can you determine what
number must be placed in the box to make the trinomial a perfect
square trinomial? (see the video demonstration on how to solve
this problem).

8|P age
 Perfect Square Trinomial Square of a Binomial

𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 = (𝑥 + 3)2

1
(6) = 3
2

𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25 = (𝑥 − 5)2

1
(−10) = -5
2

Note that when a perfect square trinomial is written as the square of a binomial, the constant
in the binomial is one-half the value of the coefficient of the 𝑥-term in the perfect square trinomial.

Example 10: Find the constant term needed to make the expression below a perfect
square trinomial.

𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + ___
6 2
2
𝑥 + 6𝑥 + ( ) = 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9
2
= (𝒙 + 𝟑)𝟐
The process of adding 9 to 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 to obtain 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 is called completing the
square because it produces the perfect square (𝑥 + 3)2.

• APPLICATION
Directions: Factor each polynomial or expression completely. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.

1) 𝑥 (𝑥 + 5) + 3(𝑥 + 5) 6) 𝑥 3 − 8

2) 𝑥 (𝑥 + 2) − 4(𝑥 + 2) 7) 𝑥 3 − 27

3) 𝑎𝑚 + 𝑏𝑚 + 𝑎𝑛 + 𝑏𝑛 8) 25𝑎2 + 64

4) 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 − 𝑦 − 1 9) 49𝑥 2 − 36

5) 𝑐𝑢 + 𝑐𝑣 + 𝑑𝑢 + 𝑑𝑣 10)𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 7

• POST-ACTIVITY
I. Directions: Factor each expression completely. Write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper.

1) 9𝑝2 − 𝑞2 4) 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 4𝑥 + 4𝑦

2) 𝑎6 − 𝑏2 5) 3𝑝3 − 12𝑝𝑞2

9|P age
 3) 𝑥 3 + 64 6) 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4

II. Directions: Use the method of completing the square to factor each expression completely
and write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

7) 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 + 4 9) 4𝑚4 + 3𝑚2 + 1

8) 𝑢4 + 4𝑢2 + 16 10)9𝑢4 − 7𝑢2 + 1

• REFERENCE
• Rodriguez, Archieval A., Ed.D., Ubarro, Arvie D., Glorial, Jonathan C., Sy Tan, Josephine L.,
Kotah, Manuel, and Chua, Simon L., DT., Soaring 21st Century Mathematics Grade 8 Teacher’s
Wraparound Edition, The Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.: Quezon City, pp. 76-92.

10 | P a g e