Different Strategies in factoring polynomials
Introduction
In algebra, polynomial is made up of two terms, namely Poly (meaning “many”) and Nominal (meaning “terms.”). A
polynomial is an expression consisting of variables and coefficients that are combined using the mathematical
operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (No division operation by a variable).
Example:
3x2+ 2x + 5 x+y
There are special names for polynomials with 1, 2 or 3 terms:
Monomial (5x2 , xy)
Binomial (x+5, 5x2+y3)
Trinomial (x+5+y, 5x2+y3+z)
FACTORS
When a polynomial is written as a product of polynomials, each polynomials in the
product is a factor of the original polynomials.
FACTORING is the process writing polynomials as a product of polynomials.
Strategies in Factoring Polynomials
A. Factoring Polynomials with Greatest Common Monomial Factor (GCMF)
Greatest Common Monomial Factor is the largest term that goes into a list of given
terms.
Steps in factoring polynomials with GCMF:
Find the GCMF
Divide each term in the polynomial by its GCMF.
Combine the answer in steps 1 and 2 as a product.
Formula : ax+bx+cx=x(a+b+c)
Examples:
Factor 25y5+20y4+15y3
GCMF: 5y3
Thus:
25y5+20y4+15y3 = (5y3) (5y2)+ (5y3)(4y)+(5y3)(3)
=5y3 (5y2+4y+3)
Factor 7x2+35x3
GCMF: 7x2
Thus:
7x2+35x3= 7x2(1+5x)
B. Factoring Polynomials with Difference of two Squares
Factoring polynomials with difference of two squares is a special type of factoring a
problem that is often use in mathematics.
Steps in factoring polynomials with difference of two squares.
1. Get the principal square root of each of the two squares.
2. Using these square roots form two factors: a sum and a difference.
This patter can be generalized as follows:
a2 -b2 = (a+b)(a-b)
Examples:
a. x2-36
x2-36=(x)2-(6)2 therefore, a=x and b=6
a2-b2= (a+b)(a-b) use difference of two squares pattern
x2-62=(x+6)(x-6) by substitution
x2_36=(x+6)(x-6)
b. 4a2-9b2
4a2-9b2= (2a) 2-(3a)2 therefore, a=2a and b=3b
a2-b2 = (a+b)(a-b) use difference of two squares pattern
(2a) 2-(3a) 2= (2a+3a) (2a-3a) by substitution
4a2-9b2= (2a+3a) (2a-3a)
C. Factoring Polynomials with Sum and Difference of the Two Cubes
A polynomial in the form a3+ b3 is called the sum of two cubes. A polynomial
in the form a3 – b3 is called the difference of two cubes.
Formula for sum of two cubes: a3+ b3 = (a+b) (a2 – ab + b2)
Formula for difference of two cubes a3- b3 = (a-b) (a2 + ab + b2)
Steps in factoring polynomials with difference of two squares
1. Get the cube root of each cube term.
2. Taking the operation between the cubes, use the cube roots in step 1 to obtain
binomial factors.
3. Form the trinomial factors as follow:
a. Square the first cube root.
b. Multiply the two cube roots. The sign of the product is opposite the sign
between the cubes.
c. Square the second cube root.
Examples:
1. x3+8
Rename each term as a sum of two cubes. Then, apply the formula for sum of
cubes.
x3+8 = (x)3 + (2)3
= (x+2) [(x) 2 – (x)(2) + (2)2]
= (x+2) (x2 – 2x + 4)
2. x12 – 64y6
Note that the binomial is a difference of squares.
x12 – 64y6 = (x4)3 – ( 4y2)3
= (x4- 4y2) [(x4)2 + (x4) (4y2) + (4y2)2]
= (x4- 4y2) (x3 + 4x4y2 + 16y4)
= (x2- 2y) (x2+ 2y)(x3 + 4x4y2 + 16y4)
Reference ROSE MARIEL F. MAITEM Mathematics Teacher, THE COLLEGE OF MAASIN ( pattern
and algebra)(factors of polynomials )
D. Factoring Perfect Square Trinomial
A perfect square trinomial, the ability to recognize special cases of polynomials that we
can easily factor in is a fundamental skill for solving any algebraic expressions that involve polynomials.
Formula: a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b) (a + b)
a2 - 2ab + b2 = (a - b) (a + b)
x2 + 8x + 16
The first criteria of a Perfect Square Trinomial is that it must have three terms.
The first term must be a perfect square
x2 = ( x )( x ) x2 + 8x + 16
The third term must be a perfect square
16 = (4) (4) x2 + 8x + 16
The middle term must be twice the product of the square root coefficient of the first and last term.
(2)(1)(4) = 8
WHAT IF IT IS A PERFECT SQUARE TRINOMIAL?
If you have a perfect Square Trinomial it is easy to factor:
•Take the square root of the first term.
•Take the square root of the last term.
•Use the sign of the middle term, put in parenthesis and square the result.
Example:
x2 + 4x + 4
x + 2
(x+2) 2 = (x+2) (x+2)
x2 + 4x + 4 = (x+2) (x+2) Factors
Another example:
X2 + 10x +25 = ( x + 5 ) 2
E. Factoring General Trinomial
A trinomial is a polynomial that has three terms. The first time is an x2
term, the second term is an x term, and the third term is a constant
(just a number).
Formula: ax2 + bx + c = 1
ax2 + bx + c ≠ 1
Steps in factoring general trinomial:
Example:
x2 + 6x + 8
1. Identify the values for b and c.
b=6
c=8
2. Find two numbers that ADD to b and MULTIPLY to c.
a. List all the possible factors of 8 b. find the factor of 8 whose
sum is 6
Factor of Factor of Su
8 8 m
1 5 1 5 6
-1 -5 -1 -5 -6
2 4 2 4 6
-2 -4 -2 -4 -6
4 + 2 =6 (the value of b)
4 x 2 = 8 (the value of c)
3. Use the numbers you picked to write out the factors and check.
Express the binomial factors of the trinomial:
(x+2) and (x+4)
