a) Draw x tiles to make each diagram a rectangle.

Factorise quadratic expressions 2

i) ii) iii)

1 Here are some algebra tiles.

x2 x 1

a) Explain why these tiles represent the expression 3x2 + x + 2 b) Write the expression and the factorisation that each diagram represents.
The first one has been started for you.

i) x2 + 5x + 4

ii)

iii)
b) What expressions do these tiles represent?
i) ii)

3 Dexter is factorising x2 + 7x + 6
He lists the factor pairs of 6

Factor pairs of 6: 1, 6 and 2, 3

 a) Which factor pair should he use when factorising x2 + 7x + 6?

c) Annie arranges some tiles into a rectangle. 

Explain your answer. Use the diagrams to help you.

She writes:

x2 + 5x + 6 (x + 3)(x + 2)

b) Factorise x2 + 7x + 6
Explain why Annie is correct.
© White Rose Maths 2020
4 a) Continue the list of factor pairs of 40 7 x2 – 11x + 10 (x + a)(x + b)

1, 40 a) Which statement is true? Tick your answer.

• a and b must both be positive.

b) Factorise the expressions. • a and b must both be negative.
i) x2 + 13x + 40 iii) x2 + 22x + 40 • a could be positive and b could be negative.
b) Explain your choice to a partner.

c) Factorise x2 – 11x + 10
ii) x + 41x + 40
2
iv) x + 14x + 40
2

8 Factorise the expressions.


a) x2 + 23x – 24  d) x2 + 5x – 24

5 Amir factorises x2 + 5x – 14
b) x2 – 23x – 24  e) x2 – 5x – 24

x2 + 5x – 14 (x + 2)(x – 7)

c) x2 – 25x + 24  f) x2 – 2x – 24
a) Expand the brackets to show that Amir is incorrect.

9 Factorise the expressions.

a) x2 – 1 c) x2 – 9
b) Explain Amir’s mistake.

b) x2 – 4 d) x2 – 16
c) Correct his factorisation.

What do you notice? Why does this happen?



10 Factorise the expressions.

6 Eva and Dora are both factorising x2 + 2x – 8 a) x2 – 100 b) x2 – a2 c) x2 – 25b2

Eva Dora


x2 + 2x – 8 (x – 2)(x + 4) x2 + 2x – 8 (x + 2)(x – 4)
Expressions of this kind are called “the difference of two squares”.
Why do you think they are called this?
Who is correct?
Explain your answer.
© White Rose Maths 2020