Factorization of Algebraic

Expressions
ICHS
Grade 8
Friday, January 21, 2022
 Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Factorize algebraic expressions using the distributive
property

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 Essential Questions
1. What is a factor? A factor is a number or term that
completely divides another. i.e. a number or term that can go
into another number or term without leaving a remainder. Eg.
the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12; the factors of a^5 are
a, a^2, a^3, a^4 and a^5
2. What is HCF? HCF means Highest Common Factor and
speaks to the largest number or term that divides two or more
numbers or terms. Eg. HCF of 12 and 18 is 6; HCF of a^5 and
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Consider the following:
a. 15ab and 10b
b. 9ab^2 and 12 ab
c. 13ab^2 and 5yz

1. What are the common factors of each pair?

2. What is the highest common factor of each
pair?

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Complete the brackets in the following statement:

15ab + 10b = 5b( )

The contents of the bracket multiplied by 5b should
give 15ab + 10b. (Recall: Expanding brackets). You
would therefore divide each term in 15ab + 10b by
5b to get the contents of the bracket

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Contents of the bracket:
(15ab/5b) + (10b/5b) = 3a + 2
Therefore, 15ab + 10b = 5b(3a + 2)
Check if LHS = RHS:
15ab + 10b = (5b x 3a) + (5b x 2)
15ab + 10b = 15ab + 10b
LHS = RHS
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In the previous example, notice that:
● 5b is the HCF of 15ab and 10b
● 5b(3a + 2) is the factorized form of 15ab + 10b
● 5b and (3a + 2) are factors of 15ab + 10b
Factorization means writing an expression in terms
of its factors. You can think of factorization as the
inverse of removing the brackets.

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Letʼs try these together:
a. 12y + 8z
b. 4n^2 - 2n
c. 24pq - 16p^2

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Solutions:
a.
b.
c.

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Try these

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Ex 5l, pg 30 of Mathematics for Caribbean Schools book 2

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Solutions:

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What have we discovered?
We have seen that for numbers, the HCF of two numbers is the
largest number that can go into both terms. E.g. The HCF of 15
and 27 is 3

For algebraic terms, more specifically the variable part, the

HCF is found by taking the lowest power of each quantity that
is common and then multiplying them together. E.g. The HCF
of a^5 x b^3 x c and a^3 x b x c^3 x d^2 is a^3 x b x c
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Let us explore a few other examples:

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Solutions:

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HOW MUCH HAVE YOU
LEARNT?

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 Recap

1. 3 things you learned today

2. 2 things you have questions about or are
unclear about
3. 1 thing you would like the teacher (or a
classmate) to know

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Homework
Please do Ex 20c on Pg 166 of Mathematics for Caribbean Schools bk 2 for homework.

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The End!

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