Factoring Polynomials

(Part 1)
Our goal:
In this lesson, you will be able to express into factor form
the following types of polynomials, namely:
• Difference of Two Squares, and
• Perfect Square Trinomial

This lesson is patterned to the Most Essential Learning

Competency (MELC) M8AL-Ia-b-1:
FACTORING POLYNOMIALS
(Part 1)
 FACTORING POLYNOMIALS
(Part 1)

Factoring is one of the most important topics in algebra. There

are many topics and concepts in mathematics that require
factoring polynomials. If you can’t perform factoring
polynomials, then you will not be able to start or finish a problem
that requires factoring.
 What is factoring?
Factoring is simply expressing a quantity or expression as a
product of two or more quantities called factors.

Here are some ways to factor 20:

20 = (10)(2) 20 = (5)(4) 20 = ()(40)
20 = (5)(2)(2) 20 = (-5)(-4) 20 = (-5)(2)(-2)

The illustrations above are only a few of the many ways to factor 20.
 Factoring Polynomials
Factoring a polynomial is done in the same manner as to factoring
an integer. We express a polynomial as a product of 2 or more
expressions.

Factoring a Difference of Two Squares

Illustrative Example 1: Factor x2 – 9.

Recall that x2 – 9 belongs to the special products. It is a “difference of
two squares”. The expressions which when multiplied result this
polynomial are (x + 3)(x – 3).
The polynomial x2 – 9 therefore, is (x + 3)(x – 3) in factor form.

To factor a difference of two squares like x2 – 9, simply get the square

roots of both terms, that is, the square root of x2 is x and the square
root of 9 is 3, then we get the sum and difference of these square roots
which are x + 3 and x – 3 respectively. The product of these sum and
difference is the factor form.

Therefore, x2 – 9 = (x + 3)(x – 3)
Illustrative Example 2: Factor x4 – 16.
The square root of x4 is x2 while the square of 16 is 4. The product of
the sum and difference of x2 and 4 is the factor form of x4 – 16.
so,
x4 – 16 = (x2 + 4)(x2 – 4) Another difference of two squares

= (x2 + 4)(x + 2)(x – 2)

= (x2 + 4)(x + 2)(x – 2) Complete factor form of x4 – 16

When each factor of a polynomial cannot be factored any further,

we say that the polynomial is in complete factor form.
Perfect Square Trinomial

A perfect square trinomial is a special product which is obtain by

squaring a binomial.
Recall that
Square of a binomial results to a perfect square trinomial
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2
A perfect square trinomial can be written in the form
a2 + 2ab + b2
or a2 – 2ab + b2
Illustration:
Square of a binomial equal to perfect square trinomial
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 in standard form

Ex. (x + 3)2 = (x)2 + 2(x)(3) + (3)2 = x2 + 6x + 9

Simplify the middle
expression
The polynomial x2 + 6x + 9 is a perfect square trinomial
since it is obtained by squaring the binomial x + 3.
Factoring a Perfect Square Trinomial
Factoring is simply a reverse process of multiplying. In this case,
squaring the binomial.
Multiplying (squaring) Factoring
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2
(a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2 a2 – 2ab + b2 = (a – b)2
(x + 3)2 = x2 + 6x + 9 x2 + 6x + 9 = (x + 3)2
Illustrative Example 3:
Factor the perfect square trinomial x2 + 14x + 49.
x2 + 14x + 49 = (x)2 + 14x + (7)2 The 1st and last terms are perfect squares
whose square roots are x and 7 respectively

= (x)2 + 2(7)(x) + (7)2 Factor 14 with one factor be 2. Observe if the

middle term contains nothing more than 2, x & 7

= (x)2 + 2(x)(7) + (7)2 Rearrange the factors in the middle term.

= (x + 7)2 Factor
 Illustrative Example 4: Is 9x2 – 24x + 16 a perfect square? If yes,
express it in factor form.
9x2 and 16 are both perfect squares
9x2 – 24x + 16 = (3x)2 – 24x + (4)2 whose square roots are 3x and 4
respectively.

= (3x)2 – 2(12)(x) + (4)2 Factor the middle term with 2 as a factor.

The middle term should contain only the

= (3x)2 – 2(3)(4)(x)+(4)2
quantities 2, 3x, and 4. So 12 can be
factored into (3)(4).

= (3x)2 – 2(3x)(4) + (4)2 Regroup the middle term. This shows that
the right side of the equation is now in the
form a2 – 2ab + b2

9x2 – 24x + 16 = (3x – 4)2 a2 – 2ab + b2 = (a – b)2

Summary:
To factor a Difference of Two Squares, a2 – b2, get the square root
of both terms. The sum and difference of each square root is the
factor. a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a – b)

To factor a perfect square trinomial a2 + 2ab + b2 or a2 – 2ab + b2 get

the square root of the first and the last term. The sum or difference
of these square roots squared is the factor form.

a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b) (a + b) = (a + b)2
a2 – 2ab + b2 = (a – b) (a – b) = (a – b)2
Summary:
To factor a Difference of Two Squares, a2 – b2, get the square root
of both terms. The sum and difference of each square root is the
factor. a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a – b)

To factor a perfect square trinomial a2 + 2ab + b2 or a2 – 2ab + b2 get

the square root of the first and the last term. The sum or difference
of these square roots squared is the factor form.

a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)(a + b) = (a + b)2

a2 – 2ab + b2 = (a – b)(a – b) = (a – b)2