Factorization By Grouping

Sometimes we are given expressions having more than three terms and
the number of terms is an even number (4 terms or 6 terms etc.), and
the only factor common to all the terms given in an expression is ONE
(1).

In such situations where the HCF is 1, it may be necessary to put the

terms into groups such that each group formed has a common factor
(letter or number).

This is method of factorizing such expressions is called Factorization By

Grouping

However care must be taken to ensure that all the groups formed DO
NOT HAVE A HCF OF 1.

Example: Factorise completely ax + ay + bx + by.

We may group ax and ay since they have factor a in common. We may
also group bx and by together as they have factor b in common

(ax + ay) + (bx + by)

(ax + ay) + (bx + by)

a(x + y) + b(x + y)
(x + y)(a + b)
OR
We may decide to group ax and bx together as they have factor x in
common and then group ay and by together since they have factor y in
common.

(ax + bx) + (ay + by)

x(a + b) + y(a + b)
(a + b)(x + y)

Example: Factorize Fully:

(i) 3m + 3n + 5am + 5an = (3m + 3n) + (5am + 5an)

= 3(m+ n) + 5a(m + n)
= (m + n)(3 + 5a)

(ii) 2ay – 3a + 4y – 6 = (2ay – 3a) + (4y – 6)

= a(2y – 3) + 2(2y – 3)
= (a + 2)(2y – 3)

(iii) 3x2 + 3x + 2x + 2 = (3x2 + 3x) + (2x + 2)

= 3x(x + 1) + 2(x + 1)
= (x + 1)(3x + 2)
NOTE:
 If you have formed a pair of terms and then factorise each pair
of terms, you MUST get the same brackets when you factor out
the HCF.

 If you DO NOT get the same brackets, then you may have to
rearrange the groups formed or the question CANNOT be
factorised.

 When you have COMPLETELY factorized, you MUST end with a

SINGLE TERM/MONOMIAL (a product).

 If you factor out a negative factor then the sign of each term
inside the brackets must be reversed from the sign of the term
if was originally.

(iv) ax2 – xn – 3axy + 3yn

= (ax2 – xn) – (3axy – 3yn)

= x(ax – n) – 3y(ax – n)

=(ax – n)(x – 3y)