Simple Factors of

Polynomials

Topic 6.5.2

1
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2

California Standard: What it means for you:

11.0: Students apply basic You’ll learn how to find factors of
factoring techniques to second- a polynomial.
and simple third-degree
polynomials. These techniques
include finding a common factor Key words:
for all terms in a polynomial, • factor
recognizing the difference of two • monomial
squares, and recognizing perfect • polynomial
squares of binomials. • greatest common factor

2
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2

The Topics in this Section are all about making your

work a lot easier.

Factoring polynomials can make them simpler, which

means they’re easier to manipulate.

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Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2

Polynomials Can (Sometimes) Be Factored Too

When a polynomial can be expressed as the product of two
or more numbers, monomials, or polynomials, those smaller
numbers, monomials, or polynomials are called factors of that
polynomial.

For example, if Polynomial A can be written as either:

2x2 + x or x(2x + 1)
This means that x is a factor of Polynomial A.

It also means that (2x + 1) is a factor of Polynomial A.

To find the factors of a polynomial, start by finding the greatest

common factor of all the terms.
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Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Example 1

Factor 6m3 – 4m2.

Solution

6m3 = 2 × 3 × m × m × m
4m2 = 2 × 2 × m × m

The factors that are present in both terms are:

2, m, and m

So 2, m, and m are factors of both terms.

So the GCF = 2 × m × m = 2m2

5
Solution
Solution
continues…
follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Example 1

Factor 6m3 – 4m2.

Solution (continued)
Next you need to rewrite the expression with the factor
taken out:

6m3 = 2 × 3 × m × m × m = (2 × m × m) × 3 × m = 2m2 × 3m
4m2 = 2 × 2 × m × m = (2 × m × m) × 2 = 2m2 × 2

So 6m3 – 4m2 = (2m2 × 3m) – (2m2 × 2)

= 2m2(3m – 2)
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Solution continues…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Example 1

Factor 6m3 – 4m2.

Solution (continued)
It’s always worth checking your factoring by multiplying
out again with the factor 2m2 taken out:

2m2(3m – 2) = (2 × m2 × 3 × m) – (2 × m2 × 2)

= (6 × m2+1) – (4 × m2) = 6m3 – 4m2

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Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Guided Practice
In each polynomial, find the greatest common factor of the terms.
1. 12y2 – 3y
12y2 = 2 × 2 × 3 × y × y
–3y = –1 × 3 × y
Common Factors: 3 × y, GCF = 3y

2. aa33=+a 3a
×a×a
3a = 3 × a
Common Factors: a, GCF = a

3. 14a
14a 3
=–
3
2 ×28a
7 × a+× 56a
2
a×a
–28a2 = –1 × 2 × 2 × 7 × a × a
56a = 2 × 2 × 2 × 7 × a
Common Factors: 2 × 7 × a, GCF = 14a 8
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Guided Practice
In each polynomial, find the greatest common factor of the terms.
4. 16y2 – 24y3
16y2 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × y × y
–24y3 = –1 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × y × y × y
Common Factors: 2 × 2 × 2 × y × y, GCF = 8y2

5. 60x
60x3 =+2 24x
3 2
×2×3 + ×16x
5×x×x×x
24x2 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × x × x
16x = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × x
Common Factors: 2 × 2 × x, GCF = 4x

6. 18y
18y5 =5 2+ ×6y 4
+ 3y 2
3×3×y×y×y×y×y
6y4 = 2 × 3 × y × y × y × y
3y2 = 3 × y × y
9
Common Factors: 3 × y × y GCF = 3y2
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Guided Practice
Use your answers from Exercises 1 – 6 to factor the following:
7. 12y2 – 3y 8. a3 + 3a
GCF = 3y GCF = a
3y(4y – 1) a(a2 + 3)

9. 14a3 – 28a2 + 56a 10. 16y2 – 24y3

GCF = 14a GCF = 8y2
14a(a2 – 2a + 4) 8y2(2 – 3y)

11. 60x3 + 24x2 + 16x 12. 18y5 + 6y4 + 3y2

GCF = 4x GCF = 3y2
4x(15x2 + 6x + 4) 3y2(6y3 + 2y2 + 1)

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Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2

An Alternative Method for Taking Out Factors

Again, find the GCF by multiplying together

the GCFs of each of the different parts
— the coefficients and the variables.

Then just rewrite the expression with the GCF

taken out, as before.

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Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Example 2

Factor 6m3 – 4m2.

Solution
The greatest common factor of 6 and 4 is 2.
Since both terms contain m, the lowest power will be a factor.
So GCF = 2 × m × m = 2m2
To write 6m3 – 4m2 as a factored expression,
multiply and divide by 2m2:
6m3 – 4m2 = 2m2 = 2m2(3m – 2)
12
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Guided Practice

Factor each polynomial below.

13. xGCF
2
– 4x
is x: x(x – 4)
14. GCF
x2 – isx x: x(x – 1)

15. 24x3 – 15x2 + 26x 16. 8x3 + 2x2 + 4x

GCF is 3x: 3x(8x – 5x + 2) GCF is 2x: 2x(4x2 + x + 2)

17. 4a3 – 6a2 + 6a2 18. 14b2 + 7b –2 21

GCF is 2a: 2a(2a – 3a + 3) GCF is 7: 7(2b + b – 3)

19. 6b3 – 3b2 + 12b 20. a4 + a5 + 5a3

GCF is 3b: 3b(2b2 – b + 4) GCF is a3: a3(a + a2 + 5)

13
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2

You Can Take Out Polynomial Factors Too

At the start of the Topic you saw that 2x2 + x

can be written as x(2x + 1).

This means that both x (a monomial) and 2x + 1

(a polynomial) are factors of 2x2 + x.

The next few examples are about finding

polynomial factors of the form (ax + b).

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Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Example 3

Factor (d – 1)x2 + (d – 1)x + (d – 1).

Solution
Each term is a product of (d – 1) and something else,
so (d – 1) is a common factor.
To write (d – 1)x2 + (d – 1)x + (d – 1) as a factored expression,
put the (d – 1) outside parentheses and divide everything
inside the parentheses by (d – 1):
(d – 1)x2 + (d – 1)x + (d – 1)
(d – 1)x2 (d – 1)x (d – 1)
= (d – 1) + + = (d – 1)(x2 + x + 1)
(d – 1) (d – 1) (d – 1)
15
Solution follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Example 4

Show that (a + b) is a factor of ac + bc + ad + bd.

Solution
You’ve been given the factor, so try writing the polynomial as
a factored expression.

If you can do that, you’ll have shown that (a + b) is a factor.

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Solution
Solution
continues…
follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Example 4

Show that (a + b) is a factor of ac + bc + ad + bd.

Solution (continued)
Take the (a + b) outside parentheses, as with Example 3:
ac + bc + ad + bd
ac
= (a + b) + bc + ad + bd
(a + b) (a + b) (a + b) (a + b)
ac + bc ad + bd
= (a + b) +
(a + b) (a + b)
(a + b)c (a + b)d
= (a + b) +
(a + b) (a + b)

= (a + b)(c + d) Therefore (a + b) is a factor. 17

Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Example 5

Factor and simplify the following expression:

(x – 2)(x + 2)x + (x – 2)x + (x – 2)(x + 2).

Solution

Each term is a product of (x – 2) and something else, so

(x – 2) is a common factor.
To write (x – 2)(x + 2)x + (x – 2)x + (x – 2)(x + 2) as a factored
expression, write the (x – 2) outside parentheses, then divide
all terms by (x – 2).

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Solution
Solution
continues…
follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Example 5

Factor and simplify the following expression:

(x – 2)(x + 2)x + (x – 2)x + (x – 2)(x + 2).

Solution (continued)
(x – 2)(x + 2)x + (x – 2)x + (x – 2)(x + 2)
(x – 2)(x + 2)x (x – 2)x (x – 2)(x + 2)
= (x – 2) + +
(x – 2) (x – 2) (x – 2)
= (x – 2)[(x + 2)x + x + (x + 2)]
= (x – 2)(x2 + 2x + x + x + 2)
= (x – 2)(x2 + 4x + 2) 19
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Guided Practice
Factor and simplify.
GCF = 2x + 1
21. x(2x + 1) + 3(2x + 1) (2x + 1)(x + 3)

GCF = (2 – 3x)
22. 3y (2 – 3x) + y(2 – 3x) + 5(2 – 3x)
2
(2 – 3x)(3y2 + y + 5)

GCF = (5x – 3)
23. 2x4(5x – 3) – x2(5x – 3) + (5x – 3) (5x – 3)(2x4 – x2 + 1)

GCF = 2(3a – 1)
24. 2a(3a – 1) + 6(3a – 1) 2(3a – 1)(a + 3)
GCF = (4 – x)
(4 – x)(x2 + 2x + 1)
25. (4 – x)x2 + (4 – x)2x + (4 – x)1 (or (4 – x)(x + 1)2)
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Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Guided Practice
26. Show that (x + 3) is a factor of x2 + 2x + 3x + 6.
= (x2 + 2x) + (3x + 6)
= x(x + 2) + 3(x + 2)
= (x + 3)(x + 2)

27. Show
= (y2 +that (y ++2)2) is a factor of y2 + y + 2y + 2.
y) + (2y
= y(y + 1) + 2(y + 1)
= y(y + 1) + 2(y + 1)
= (y + 2)(y + 1)

28. Show
= (6x2 that (3x
+ 9x) + – –4)12)is a factor of 6x2 + 9x – 8x – 12.
(–8x
= 3x(2x + 3) + (–4)(2x + 3)
= (3x – 4)(2x + 3)
21
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Guided Practice
Factor and simplify the following expressions.
29. (x + 3)x + (x + 3)(x – 1) + (x + 3)x – 2(x + 3)
(x + 3)[x + (x – 1) + x – 2]
= (x + 3)(x + x – 1 + x – 2)
= (x + 3)(3x – 3)
= 3(x + 3)(x – 1)

30. (2x
(2x–– 1)2x
1)[2x ++(2x
(2x – +1)(2x
– 1) x – 1] – 1) + (2x – 1)x – (2x – 1)
(2x – 1)(2x + 2x – 1 + x – 1)
= (2x – 1)(5x – 2)

31. (x(x + x )(x + 1) – (x + x2)(x

3 3 + x22)[(x + 1) – (x2 + 3x) + (x2
+ x) + (x3 + x2)(x2 + 2x + 3)
2 + 3)]
+ 2x
= (x3 + x2)(x + 1 – x2 – x + x2 + 2x + 3)
= (x3 + x2)(2x + 4)
22
2x2(x + 1)(x + 2) Solution follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Independent Practice
In each polynomial, find the greatest common factor of the
terms.
4x 27x2 7xy
1. 8x2 – 12yx 2. 81x3 + 54x2 3. 21x3yz – 35x2y + 70xyz
Factor each polynomial below.
4. 2x – 6 5. 6x2 – 12x
2(x – 3) 6x(x – 2)

6. 5(c + 1) – 2y(c + 1)
(c + 1)(5 – 2y)
7. 6y 2
– 12y 3
+ 18y
6y(y – 2y2 + 3)

8. (k
x2(k + 3) + (k + 3)
+ 3)(x2 + 1)
9. (y
k(y– 3)(k
– 3)– m)
– m(y – 3)
23
Solution follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Independent Practice
Factor each polynomial below.

10. (x + 1)22 – 2(x + 1)3 11. m(y – 5)2 – (y – 5)

–(x + 1) (2x + 1) (y – 5)(my – 5m – 1)

12. (x
(x–2 2)(x
– 2x) + (4x – 8)
+ 4)
13. (y
(y+2 3)(y
+ 3y) + (3y + 9)
+ 3) (or (y + 3)2)

14. (2my – 3mx) + (–4y + 6x)

(2y – 3x)(m – 2)
15. –2m(x
(x + 1)(k + 1) + k(x + 1)
– 2m)

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Solution follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Independent Practice
Factor each polynomial below.

16. x53 +2 3x3 + 2x4 17. 8y2x + 4yx2 + 4y2x2

x (x + 2x + 3) 4yx(2y + x + yx)

18. 3x
3x(x2–– 6x
3
2x + +
2
3) 9x 19. 4x
4x2(x–
5
3 4x + 16x
3
– x + 4)
2

20. 2m 3
n 2– 6m n + 10mn
2 2
2mn(m – 3mn + 5)

25
Solution follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Independent Practice
21. Show that (x + 4) is a factor of x2 – 5x + 4x – 20.
factored form is (x + 4)(x – 5)

22. Show that (2x + 5) is a factor of 2x2 – 2x + 5x – 5.

factored form is (2x + 5)(x – 1)

23. Show that (3x – 1) is a factor of 6x2 + 3x – 2x – 1.

factored form is (3x – 1)(2x + 1)

24. Show that (a – b) is a factor of 2ac – ad – 2bc + bd.

factored form is (a – b)(2c – d)

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Solution follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2
Independent Practice
Factor and simplify the following expressions.
25. (4x2 + 3)(2x + 1) + (4x2 + 3)(2x + 2) + 8(4x2 + 3)
(4x2 + 3)(4x + 11)

26. 20(4a + 3b) – (x + 1)(4a + 3b) + (x2 + x + 8)(4a + 3b) + (4a + 3b)
(4a + 3b)(x2 + 28)

27
Solution follows…
Topic
Simple Factors of Polynomials
6.5.2

Round Up

The greatest common factor is really useful

when you’re trying to factor polynomials,
because it’s always the best factor to use.

In the next Section you’ll see that you can also factor
more complicated polynomials like quadratics.

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