MODULE 3: FACTORING

Objectives:

At the end of this module, the students will be able to:

1. List the possible factors of the given algebraic expressions.
2. Factor the given algebraic expressions.
3. Check the product of the factors if it can obtain the given.

Introduction:

In the previous module, obtaining the product of factors is accomplished with the
multiplication operation.
In this module, the product is given and the objective is to obtain the factors of the
product. Factoring is the reverse of multiplication. It refers to the process of finding the
factors of an algebraic product or expression. An algebraic expression is said to have been
factored completely if it is expressed as a product of prime factors.
A factor can be a monomial or a polynomial. A factor is considered prime if it cannot be
expressed any further as a product of an algebraic expression in its simplest form. This
means that the algebraic expression has no other factors except itself and 1 or its negative.
2
Examples of prime natural numbers are 2,3,7, 11,13,23,29, and 31 while a, xy,5a (b  c), mn ,
3
and x  2 are examples of algebraic prime factors.
Finding products and factoring are two processes applied in opposite direction. Hence,
the formulas that we used in finding special products are basically the same formulas that
we will use in factoring, but in applied in reversed processes. This is so, since multiplication
and division are inverse operations.

Pre-test: Factor the following algebraic expressions completely.

1. 6ax  9bx  12cx

2. 4a 2  x  y   9
2

3. 8a 3  27b 3
4. 125 x 3  8 y 6
1 2
5. x  2 x  25
25

Pre-test Feedback:
1. 3 x2a  3b  4c 
2. 2ax  2ay  32ax  2ay  3
3. 2a  3b 4a 2  6ab  9b 2 
4. 5 x  2 y 2 25 x 2  10 xy 2  4 y 4 
2
1 
5.  x  5 
5 
Types of Factoring

1. Common Monomial Factor; Greatest Common Factor: ax  ay  a  x  y 

Examples:
a. 24 x 3 y  16 x 2 y 2  36 xy 3  4 xy 6 x 2  4 xy  9 y 2 
b. 
12a 2  x  y   15a 3  x  y   6a 4  x  y   3a 2  x  y  2a 2  5a  4 
2. Difference of Two Squares: x 2  y 2   x  y  x  y 
Examples:
a. 4a 2  9b 2  2a  3b 2a  3b 
4 2 9 2 6 8 2 3  2 3 
b. a  x y z   a  xy 3 z 4  a  xy 3 z 4 
25 49 5 7  5 7 
3. Sum or Difference of Two Cubes:

x 3  y 3   x  y  x 2  xy  y 2 
x3  y 3   x  y x 2
 xy  y 2 
Examples:
a. 27 y 3  8  3 y  2 3 y 2  6 y  4 

b. 125 x  8 y  5 x  2 y 25 x  10 y  4 y 
3 6 2 2 2 4

c. 3 x  24  3x  2 x  2 x  4 
6 2 4 2

d. x  8 y  x  2 y x  2 x y  4 y 
3a 3b a b 2a a b 2b

4. Perfect Square Trinomial:

x 2  2 xy  y 2   x  y 
2

x 2  2 xy  y 2   x  y 
2

Examples:
a. a 2  4ab  4b 2  a  2b a  2b   a  2b 
2

b. 9 x  24 xy  16 y  3 x  4 y 3 x  4 y   3 x  4 y 
2 2 2

c. 252a  b   902a  b   81  10a  5b  9 10a  5b  9   10a  5b  9 

2 2

d. 2a  24ab  72b  2a  6b a  6b   2a  6b 

2 2 2

5. Quadratic Trinomial
Case 1: ax 2  bx  c  0, a  1
Examples:
a. x 2  3 x  2   x  1 x  2 

b. x  8 x  65   x  13 x  5
2

Case 2: ax 2  bx  c  0, a  1
Examples:
a. 6 x 2  11x  4  3 x  4 2 x  1

b. 2 x  3 x  5  2 x  5 x  1
2
6. Sum or Difference of Two Terms with Odd Powers
x n  y n   x  y x n 1  x n  2 y  x n 3 y 2 ,    , y n 1  where n is an odd number
x  y  x  y  x
n n
 n 1
x n2
yx n 3 2
y ,    , y n 1

Examples:
a. x 5  y 5   x  y x 4  x 3 y  x 2 y 2  xy 3  y 4 

b. a  32b  a  2b a  2a b  4a b  8ab  16b 

5 5 4 3 2 2 3 4

Practice Exercise 3.1: Factor the following algebraic expressions completely.

1. 2 x 3  4 x 2  10 x ________________________________
2. 3 x 4  6 x 3  12 x 2 ________________________________
3. x 2  8 x  16 ________________________________
4. x 2  10 x  25 ________________________________
5. 49 x 2  14 x  1 ________________________________
6. 3 x 2  2 x  5 ________________________________
7. 10a 2  35ab  45b 2 ________________________________
8. 20 x 2 44 xy  48 y 2 ________________________________

9. 5a 2  14ab  ab 2 ________________________________
10. 3 x 3  2 x 2  5 x ________________________________
11. 100a 2  x 4 ________________________________
12. 49a 6  4b 2 ________________________________
13. x 2 y 2  9 xy  52 ________________________________

14. 3a 4  4a 2 y 2  15 y 4 ________________________________

15. 5 x 9  6 x 8  8 x 7 ________________________________
16. 9a 2  48ac  64c 2 ________________________________
17. 25a 2  30ab  9b 2 ________________________________
18. 4 x 2  19 x  12 ________________________________
19. 6 x 6  13 x 3 5 ________________________________
20. 103 x  4   193 x  4   6
2
________________________________
Practice Exercise 3.2: Factor the following algebraic expressions completely.

1. 5 xy  3 y ________________________________
2. 10a  b   2 z a  b  ________________________________

3. 25  x 2 ________________________________
4. 81x 4  625 ________________________________
5. xy 2  9xy 4 ________________________________

6. a 3b  ab 3 ________________________________
7. 3a  b   c  2d 
2 2
________________________________

8. x  y 3  z 3 ________________________________

9. x 6  y 6 ________________________________

10. 32a 4b  2a 2b ________________________________

11. 16  54b 3 ________________________________
12. 216 x 3  125 ________________________________
13. x 6 z  64 x 2 z ________________________________
14. 9  256 w 2 ________________________________
15. x 9  y 9 ________________________________

Homework 3.1: Factor the following algebraic expressions completely.

1. 9 x 2  24 x  16 ________________________________
2. 3 x 2  7 xy  6 y 2 ________________________________

3. 7 a 2  54a  81 ________________________________
4. 8mn 2  88mn  192m ________________________________
5. 6 y 2  9 yz  81z 2 ________________________________

6. 102 x  5 y   162 x  5 y   6
2
________________________________

7. 14a 2b 2  18abc  20c 2 ________________________________

8. 21r 2  57 r  30 ________________________________
9. 27a  b   1
3
________________________________

10. x 7  2,187 y 7 ________________________________

Post test: Factor the following algebraic expressions completely.

1. 6ax  9bx  12cx

2. 4a 2  x  y   9
2

3. 8a 3  27b 3
4. 125 x 3  8 y 6
1 2
5. x  2 x  25
25

Post test Feedback:

1. 3 x2a  3b  4c 
2. 2ax  2ay  32ax  2ay  3
3. 2a  3b 4a 2  6ab  9b 2 
4. 5 x  2 y 2 25 x 2  10 xy 2  4 y 4 
2
1 
5.  x  5 
5 
 MODULE 4: FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE: SOLVING
ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS

Objectives:

At the end of this module, the students will be able to:

1. Solve simple algebraic equations without algebra.
2. Move terms across the equal sign.
3. Use the balance scale method to find the value of the unknown.
4. Use cross-multiplication to simplify equations.
5. Simplify algebraic equations.

Introduction:

In this module, you use your skill in doing the big four operations and simplifying
algebraic expressions to solve algebraic equations--- that is, equations with one or more
variables (such as x). Solving an equation means you figure out the value of the variable.
First , I show you how to solve very simple equations for x without using algebra. Then, as
the problems get tougher, I show you a variety of methods to figure out the value of x.

Pre-test: Solve the following equations.

1. (2 x  3)( x  2)  5 x  2(2 x  5)
2( x  3) 3(2 x  5) 4
2.   0
4 6 3
2 x 1 5x
3.  2
5 7

Pre-test Feedback:
2
1. x 
5
2
2. x 
3
3. x  7

Solving Simple Algebraic Equations

You do not always need algebra to solve an algebraic equation. Here are three ways to
solve simper problems:

 Inspection: For the very simplest algebra problems, inspection --- just looking at the
problem --- is enough. The answer just jumps out to you.
 Rewriting the problem: In slightly harder problems, you may be able to rewrite the
problem so you can find the answer. In some cases, this involves using inverse
 operations; in other cases, you can use the same operation with the numbers switched
around.
 Guessing ad checking: When problems are just a bit tougher, you can try guessing the
answer and then checking to see whether you are right. Check by substituting your
guess for x.

Tip: When your guess is wrong, you can usually tell whether it is too high or too low. Use
this information to guide your next guess.

Warning: In some cases, you can simplify the problem before you begin solving. On either
side of the equal sign, you can rearrange terms and combine similar terms as I show you in
Module 1. After the equation is simplify, use any method you like to find x.

As you simplify, do not move any terms to the opposite site of the equal sign. Also do not
combine similar terms on opposite sides of the equal sign.

Example 1:Solve for x in each case just by looking at the equation.

a. x  3  10 Answer: x  7
b. 7 x  224. Answer: x  32
c. 8 x  20  108 Answer: x  16
Example 2: Use the correct inverse operation to rewrite and solve each problem.
a. x  41  97 Answer: x  56
b. 100  x  58 Answer: x  42
c. 13 x  273 Answer: x  21
238
d.  17 Answer: x  14
x
Example 3: Find the value of x in each equation by guessing and checking.
a. 19 x  22  136 Answer: x  6
b. 12 x  17  151 Answer: x  14
c. 19 x  17  600 Answer: x  32
2
d. x  3  292 Answer: x  17
Example 4: Simplify the equation and then solve for x using any method you like:
a. x 5  16  x  20  x 5  24 Answer: x  20
b. 5 xy  x  2 xy  27  3 xy  73 Answer: x  46
c. 6 x  3  x 2  x  8  5 x  30 Answer: x  5
3 3
d.  3  x 4  x  x  1  2 xy  7  x  2 xy  x Answer: x  7

Equality for All: Using the Balance Scale to Isolate x

Think of an equation as a balance scale, one of the classic ones that has a horizontal
beam with little weighing pans hanging from each end. The equal sign means that both sides
hold the same amount and therefore balance each other out. To keep that equal sign, you
have to maintain that balance. Therefore, whatever you do to one side of the equation, you
have to do to the other.

For example, the equation 4  2  6 is in balance because both sides are equal. If you
want to add 1 to one side of the equation, you need to add 1 to the other side to keep the
balance. Notice that the equation stays balances, because each side equals 7:
4  2 1  6 1

You can apply any of the Big Four operations to the equation, provided that you keep the
equation balanced at all times. For example, here is how you multiply both sides of the
original equation by 10. Note that the equation stays balanced, because each side equals 60:
10(4  2)  10(6)
Remember: The simple concept of the balance scale is the heart and soul of algebra.
Algebra is really just a bunch of tricks to make sure that the scale never goes out of balance.
When you understand how to keep the scale in balance, you can solve algebraic equations
by isolating x --- that is is, by getting x alone on one side of the equation and everything
else on the other side. For most basic equations, isolating x is a three step process:
1. Add or subtract the same number from each side to get all constants (non x-terms)
on one side of the equation.
On the other side of the equation, the constants should cancel each other out and equal 0.
2. Add or subtract to get all x terms on the other side of the equation.
The x terms that is still on the same side as the constant should cancel out.
3. Divide to isolate x .

Example: Use the balance scale method to find the value of x in the following equations:
a. 5 x  6  3 x  8 Answer: x  7
b. 9 x  2  6 x  7 Answer: x  3
c. 10 x  10  8 x  12 Answer: x  11
d. 4 x  17  x  22 Answer: x  13
e. 15 x  40  11x  4 Answer: x  11

Switching Side: Rearranging Equations to Isolate x

When you understand how to keep equations in balance (as I show you in the preceding
section), you can use a quicker method to solve algebra problems. The shortcut is to
rearrange the equation by placing all x terms on one side of the equal sign and all
constants (non x-terms) on the other side. Essentially, you are doing the addition and
subtraction without showing it. You can then isolate x .

Like the balance scale method, solving for x by arranging the equation is a three-step
process; however, the steps usually take less time to write:
1. Rearrange the terms of the equation so that x terms are on one side of the
equation and all contants (non-x terms) are on the other side.
 When you move a term from one side of the equal sign to the other always negate that
term. That is, if the term is positive, make it negative; if the term is negative,make it positive.
2. Combine similar terms on both sides of the equation.
3. Divide to isolate x .

When one or both sides of the equation contain parenthesis, remove them (as I show
you in Module 1). Then use these three steps to solve for x .

Example: Find the value of x in the following equations:

a. 7 x  6  4 x  9 Answer: x  5
b. 3  (7 x  13)  5(3  x)  x Answer: x  1
c. 10 x  5  3 x  19 Answer: x  2
d. 4  (2 x  6)  7( x  5) Answer: x  9
e.  2 x  7   1  x  12 Answer: x  1

Barring Fractions: Cross-Multiplying to Simplify Equations

Fraction bars, like parentheses, are grouping symbols: The numerator is one group, and
the denominator is another. But like parentheses, fraction bars can block you from
rearranging an equation and combining similar terms. Luckily, cross-multiplication is a great
trick for removing fraction bars from an algebraic equation.
You can use cross-multiplication to compare fractions. To show that fractions are equal,
you can cross multiply them --- that is, multiply the numerator of one fraction by the
denominator of the other. For example, here are two equal fractions. As you can see, when
you cross-multiply them, the result is another balanced equation:
2 4

5 10
2(10)  4(5)
20  20
You can use this trick to simplify algebraic equations that contain fractions.

Example: Use cross-multiplication to solve the following equations:

2x
a.  x3 Answer: x  9
3
2x 1 6x
b.  Answer: x  1
x  1 3x  1
x5 x
c.  Answer: x  4
2 8
3x  5
d.  x 1 Answer: x  3
7
x 2x  3
e.  Answer: x  5
2x  5 4x  7
 2x  3 6  x
f.  Answer: x  0
4  8x 4 x  8
2x  4
g. 9  81 Answer: x  110
3
x x
h. 3  Answer: No solution
4 3

Practice Exercise 4.1: Solve the following equations.

1. 6 x  54  0
2. 3 x  18  45
3. 4 x  35  5  x
4. 3( x  2)  2 x  3
5. y 2  5 y  6  ( y  2)( y  3)
6. (6 y  1)( y  5)  (2 y  3)(3 y  2)
7. 3(m  2)  4  4(3  2m)
x  2 2x  3 x
8.   1
2 6 3
x  2 3x  1
9. 2 x  
2 3
10. 0.8 x  1.4  0.2 x  2.6
2x x
11.  10 
7 14
3 1
12.  3 y  6 y 
4 6
5 x x 51
13.  
8 12 24
x4 x
14.  6
4 3
x x
15.  3 
4 3

Homework 4.1: Solve the following equations.

r 6
1. r  6
9
2 x  3 3x  1
2.   3x  4
7 5
2 3 6
3.   2
x  2 3  2x 2x  7x  6
4. 4 x  2  6 x  12
5. x 2  7 x  10  x 2  5 x  2
Post test: Solve the following equations.

1. (2 x  3)( x  2)  5 x  2(2 x  5)
2( x  3) 3(2 x  5) 4
2.   0
4 6 3
2 x 1 5x
3.  2
5 7

Post test Feedback:

2
1. x 
5
2
2. x 
3
3. x  7