UNIT

2 FURTHER ON
WORKING WITH
VARIABLES

Unit outcomes
After Completing this unit, you should be able to:
 solve life related problems using variables.
 multiply binomial by monomial and determine the product
of binomials.
 determine highest common factor of algebraic
expressions.

Introduction
By now you are well aware of the importance of variables in mathematics. In this
unit you will learn more about variables, specially you will learn about
mathematical expression, its component parts and uses of variables in formulas
and solving problems. In addition to these you will study special expressions
known as binomials and how to perform addition and multiplication on them.

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2.1. Further on Algebraic Terms and Expressions

2.1.1 Use of variables in formula
Group Work 2.1
Discuss with your friends
1. What a variable is?
2. Find what number I am left with if
a. I start with x, double it and then subtract 6.
b. I start with x, add 4 and then square the result.
c. I start with x, take away 5, double the result and then divide
by 3.
d. I start with w, subtract x and then square the result.
e. I start with n add p, cube the result and then divide by a.
3. Translate the following word problems in to mathematical
expression.
a. Eighteen subtracted from 3.
b. The difference of -5 and 11.
c. Negative thirteen subtracted from – 10.
d. Twenty less than 32.
4. Describe each of the following sets using variables.
a. The set of odd natural numbers.
b. The solution set of 3x – 1 ≥ 4.
c. The solution set of x + 6 = 24.
d. The set of all natural number less than 10.

Definition 2.1: A variable is a symbol or letter such as x, y and z

used to represent an unknown number (value).

Example 1: Describe each of the following sets using variables.

a. The solution set of 3x – 5 > 6.
b. The solution set of 2x + 1 = 10.

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Solution
a) 3x – 5 > 6 ……………. Given inequality
3x – 5 + 5 > 6 + 5 ……... Adding 5 from both sides
3x > 11 ………………… Simplifying
3x 11
> ………………….. Dividing both sides by 3
3 3
11
x>
3
 11
The solution set of 3x – 5 > 6 is x : x >  .
 3
b) 2x + 1 = 10 ………….. Given equation.
2x + 1 – 1 = 10 – 1 ……Subtracting 1 from both sides.
2x = 9 …….. ... Simplifying.
2x 9
= ………… Dividing both sides by 2.
2 2
9
x=
2
9 9 
The solution set of 2x + 1 = 10 is x = or S.S =  
2 2
Example 2: Find the perimeter of a rectangle in terms of its length  and width w.
Solution Let P represent the perimeter of the rectangle.
Then P =

=+w++w D C
= 2 + 2w
w w
= 2( + w)
A B


Figure 2.1

Example 3: The volume of a rectangular prism

equals the product of the numbers
h
which measures of the length, the
width and the height. Formulate the

statement using variables. w
Figure 2.2 A rectangular prism

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 Grade 8 Mathematics [FURTHER ON WORKING WITH VARIABLES ]

Solution let  represent the length, w the width and h the height of the
prism. If V represents the volume of the prism, then
V=×w×h C
V = wh

Example 4: Express the area of a triangle in h

terms of its base ‘b’ and altitude
‘h’.
A B
Solution Let “b” represent the base and “h” b
the height of the triangle. Figure 2.3 triangle

A = bh
Example 5: The area of a trapezium (see Figure 2.4) below can be given by the
formula A = where A = area, h = height, b 1 = upper
base and b 2 = lower base. If the area is 170 cm2, height 17cm
and b 2 = 12cm then:
a) Express b 1 in terms of the b1

other variables in the

formula for A. h

b) Use the equation you

obtained to find b 1 . b2
Solution Figure 2.4 Trapezium

a) h (b 1 + b 2 ) = A …. Given equation
h (b 1 + b 2 ) = 2A ….. Multiplying A by 2
b1 + b2 = ….. Dividing both sides by h
b1 = - b 2 ….. Subtracting b 2 from both sides
-
b1 = …… Simplifying
b) For (a) above we have
-
b1 =
-
b1 =
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 Grade 8 Mathematics [FURTHER ON WORKING WITH VARIABLES ]

-
b1 =
b 1 = 8cm
Therefore the upper base (b 1 ) is 8cm.
 Check: A = h(b 1 + b 2 ) when b 1 = 8cm

170cm2

170 cm2
170 cm2 = 170 cm2 (True)

Exercise 2A
Solve each of the following word problems.
1. The perimeter of a rectangular field is 1000m. If the length is given as x,
find the width in terms of x.
2. Find
i) The perimeter of a square in terms of its side of length ″s″ unit.
ii) The area of a square interms of its side of length ″s″ units.
3. Express the volume of the cube in
Figure 2.5.
2k-1

2k-1
2k-1
Figure 2.5 Cube

4. The area of a trapezoid is given by the formula A = then give

the height h interms of its bases b 1 & b 2 .
5. A man is 8x years old now. How old he will be in:
a. 10 years time? b. 6x years time? c. 5y years time?
6. How many days (d) are there in the given number of weeks (w) below?
a. 6 weeks c. y weeks
b. 104 weeks d. 14 weeks

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2.1.2 Variables, Terms and Expressions

Activity 2.1
Discuss with your teacher before starting the lesson.
1. What do we mean by like terms? Given an example.
2. Are 7a3, 5a2 and 12a like terms? Explain.
3. What is an algebraic expression?
4. What is a monomial?
5. What is a binomial?
6. What is a trinomial?
7. What are unlike terms? Give an example.

Definition 2.2: Algebraic expressions are formed by using numbers,

letters and the operations of addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, raising to power and taking
roots.

Some examples of algebraic expressions are:

x + 10, y – 16, 2x2 + 5x – 8, x – 92, 2x + 10, etc.
Note:
i. An algebraic expression that contains variables is called an
expression in certain variables. For examples the expression
7xy + 6z is an algebraic expression with variables x, y and z.
ii. An algebraic expression that contains no variable at all is called
constant. For example, the algebraic expression 72 - 16π is constant.
iii. The terms of an algebraic expression are parts of the expression that
are connected by plus or minus signs.

Examples 6: List the terms of the expression 5x2 – 13x + 20.

Solution: The terms of the expression 5x2 – 13x + 20 are 5x2, - 13x, and 20.

Definition 2.3: An algebraic expression in algebra which contains

one term is called a monomial.

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−2
Example 7: 8x, 13a2b2, , 18xy, 0.2a3b3 are all monomial.
3

Definition 2.4: An algebraic expression in algebra which

contains two terms is called a binomial.

Examples 8: 2x + 2y, 2a – 3b, 5p2 + 8, 3x2 + 6, n3 – 3 are all binomial.

Definition 2.5: An algebraic expression in algebra which

contains three terms is called a trinomial.

Examples 9: 4x2 + 3x + 10, 3x2 – 5x + 2, ax2 + bx + c are all trinomial.

Definition 2.6: Terms which have the same variables, with the corresponding
variables are raised to the same powers are called like terms;
other wise called unlike terms.

For example:
Like terms Unlike terms
34xy and -8xy 12xy and 6x …… Different variables.
18p2q3 and p2q3 8p2q3 and 16p3q2 …Different power
5w and 6w 10w and 20 …… Different variables.
7 and 20 14 and 10a…… Different variables.

Example 10: Which of the pairs are like terms: 80ab and 70b or 4c2d2, and
-6c2 d2.

Solution 4c2d2 and -6c2d2 are like terms but 80 ab and 70 b are unlike
terms.

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Note:
i. Constant terms with out variables, (or all constant terms) are like
terms.
ii. Only like terms can be added or subtracted to form a more
simplified expression.
iii. Adding or subtracting like terms is called combining like terms.
iv. If an algebraic expression contains two or more like terms, these
terms can be combined into a single term by using distributive
property.

Example 11: Simplify by collecting like terms.

a. 18x + 27 – 6x – 2
b. 18k – 10k – 12k + 16 + 7

Solution
a. 18x + 27 – 6x – 2
= 18x - 6x + 27 – 2 ……. Collecting like terms
= 12x + 25 ……………… Simplifying
b. 18k – 10k – 12k + 16 + 7
= 18k – 22k + 16 + 7 ….. Collecting like terms
= -4k + 23 …….. ……… Simplifying
Example 12: Simplify the following expressions
a. (6a + 9x) + (24a – 27x)
b. (10x + 15a) – (5x + 10y)
c. – (4x – 6y) – (3y + 5x) – 2x)
Solution
a. (6a + 9x) + (24a – 27x)
= 6a + 9x + 24a – 27x ……. Removing brackets
= 6a + 24a + 9x – 27x ….... Collecting like terms
= 30a – 18x ….. Simplifying
b. (10x + 15a) – (5x + 10y)

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= 10x + 15a – 5x – 10y ……. Removing brackets

= 10x – 5x + 15a – 10y ……. Collecting like terms
= 5x + 15a – 10y …… . . . . . .Simplifying
c. –(4x – 6y) – (3y + 5x) – 2x
= -4x + 6y – 3y – 5x – 2x ……Removing brackets
= -4x – 5x – 2x + 6y – 3y ……Collecting like terms
= -11x + 3y …………………. Simplifying

Group work 2.2

1. Three rods A, B and C have lengths of (x + 1) cm; (x + 2) cm and
(x – 3)cm respectively, as shown below.
x +1 x+2 x-3
(A) (B) (C)
Figure 2.6
In the figures below express the length  interms of x.
Give your answers in their simplest form.
a. A C d. B C
  A

A  A C
b. B B e. B 

A B
C C
B A
c. f. 

Figure 2.7
2. When an algebraic expression was simplified it became 2a + b.
a. Write down as many different expressions as you can which
simplify to 2a + b.
b. What is the most complex expression you can think of that
simplifies to 2a + b?
c. What is the simplest expression you can think of that simplifies to
2a + b?

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Note: An algebraic formula uses letters to represent a relationship

between quantities.

Exercise 2B
1. Explain why the terms 4x and 4x2 are not like terms.
2. Explain why the terms 14w3 and 14z3are not like terms.
3. Categorize the following expressions as a monomial, a binomial or
a trinomial.
a. 26 d. 16x2 g. 20w4 – 10w2
b. 50 bc2 e. 10a2 + 5a h. 2t – 10t4 – 10a
c. 90 + x f. 27x + i. 70z + 13z2 – 16
4. Work out the value of these algebraic expressions using the values given.
a. 2(a + 3) if a = 5
b. 4(x + y) if x = 5 and y = -3
-
c. if x = -3 and y = -2

d. if a = 3, b = 4 and c = 2
e. 2(b + c )2 – 3 (b – c)2 if b = 8 and c = -4
f. (a + b)2 + (a + c)2 if a = 2, b = 8 and c = -4
g. c (a + b)3 if a = 3, b = 5 and c = 40

Challenge Problems

5. Solve for d if d = - - if x 1 = 3, y 1 = 4
and x 2 = 12, y2 = 37.
-
6. y if x = 5 and y =
7. Collect like terms together.
a. xy + ab – cd + 2xy – ab + dc d. 5 + 2y + 3y2 – 8y – 6 + 2y2 + 3
b. 3x2 + 4x + 6 – x2 – 3x – 3 e. 6x2 – 7x + 8 – 3x2 + 5x – 10
c. 3y2 – 6x + y2 + x2 + 7x + 4x2 f. 2x2 – 3x + 8 + x2 + 4x + 4

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2.1.3 Use of Variables to Solve Problems

Activity 2.2
Discuss with your teacher
1. Prove that the sum of two even numbers is an even numbers.
2. If the perimeter of a rectangle is 120cm and the length is 8cm more than the
width, find the area.
3. The sum of three consecutive integers is 159. What are the integers?
4. The height of a ballon from the ground increases at a steady rate of x metres
in t hours. How far will the ballon rise in n hours?
In this topic you are going to use variables to solve problems involving some
unknown values and to prove a given statement.

? What is a proof?

A proof is an argument to show that a given statements is true. The argument

depends on known facts, such as definitions, postulates and proved theorems.

Example13: (Application involving consecutive integers)

The sum of two consecutive odd integers is -188. Find the integers.

Solution: Let x represent the first odd integer, hence

x + 2 represents the second odd integer.
(First integer) + (Second integer) = total ……. Write an equation in words.
x + (x + 2) = -188 …… Write a mathematical equation
x + x + 2 = -188
2x + 2 = -188
2x = -190
=
x = -95
Therefore the integer are -95 and -93.
Example14: (Application involving Ages)
The ratio of present ages of a mother and her son is 12 : 5. The mother’s
age, at the time of birth of the son was 21 years. Find their present ages.

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Solution:
Let x be the present age of the mother and y be that of her son.
x 12
Thus x:y = 12:5 or =
y 5
5x – 12y = 0 …... Equation 1
x – y = 21 …... Equation 2
From equation 2, we get x = 21 + y …… Equation 3
Substituting equation 3 in to equation 1, we will get:
5(21 + y) – 12y = 0
105 + 5y – 12y = 0
105 – 7y = 0
105 = 7y
y = 15
Thus x = 21 + y
x = 21 + 15 ⇒ x = 36
Therefore, the present ages of a mother and her son are 36 years and
15 years respectively.

Exercise 2C
Solve each of the following word problems.
1. A 10 meter piece of wire is cut in to two pieces. One piece is 2 meters
longer than the other. How long are the pieces?
2. The perimeter of a college basket ball court is 96 m and the length is 14m
more than the width. What are the dimensions?
3. Ten times the smallest of three consecutive integers is twenty two more
than three times the sum of the integers. Find the integers.
4. The surface area “S” of a sphere of radius r is given by the formula:
S = 4 πr2.
Find (i) the surface area of a sphere whose radius is 5 cm.
1
(ii) the radius of a sphere whose surface area is 17 cm2.
9
5. By what number must be 566 be divided so as to give a quotient 15 and
remainder 11?
6. I thought of a number, doubled it, then added 3. The result multiplied by
4 came to 52. What was the number I thought of ?

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7. One number is three times another, and four times the smaller added to
five times the greater amounts to 133; find them.

Challenge Problems
8. If a certain number is increased by 5, one – half of the result is three –
fifths of the excess of 61 over the number. Find the number.
9. Divide 54 in to two parts so that four times the greater equals five times
the less.
10. Prove that the sum of any 5 consecutive natural numbers is divisible by 5.

2.2 Multiplication of Binomials

In grade seven you have studied about certain properties of multiplication and
addition such as the commutative and associative properties of addition and
multiplication and the distributive of multiplication over addition. In this sub–
unit you will learn how to perform multiplication of monomial by binomial and
multiplication of binomial by binomial.

2.2.1 Multiplication of Monomial by Binomial

Activity 2.3
Discuss with your friends /partners/
1. Multiply 4a by 2ab 3. Multiply 6b by (3a + 15b)
2. Multiply 4b by (2ab + 6b) 4. Multiply 7ab by (3ab – 6a)
You begin this topic, let us look at some examples:
Example 15: Multiply 2x by 4yz
Solution:
2x × 4yz = 2 × x × 4 × y × z
= (2 × 4) (x × y × z)
= 8 xyz
Example 16: Multiply 4c2 by (16 abc – 5a2 bc)
Solution:
4c2 × (16abc – 5a2bc)
= (4c2 × 16abc) – (4c2 × 5a2bc)
= (4 × 16 × c2 × c × a × b) – (4 × 5 × c2 × c × a2 ×b)
= 64 c3 ab – 20 c3 a2b
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Example 17: Multiply 4rt (5pq – 3pq)

Solution:
4rt × (5pq – 3pq)
= (4rt × 5pq) – (4rt × 3pq)
= (4 × 5 × r × t × p × q) – (4 × 3× r × t ×p × q)
= (20rt pq – 12 rt pq)
= (20-12) rt pq
= 8pqrt

? Do you recall the properties used in examples 15, 16, and 17 above?

1. Distributive properties
Group Work 2.3
1. In Figure 2.8 below, find the area of the shaded region.
2a

b
b

2a
Figure 2.8
2. If the area of a rectangle is found by multiplying the length times
the width, express the area of the rectangle in Figure 2.9 in two ways
to illustrate the distributive property for a(b + c).
b c

b+c
Figure 2.9

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3. Express the shaded area of the rectangle in Figure 2.10 in two ways
to illustrate the distributive property for a (b – c).
b-c

b-c c
Figure 2.10
4. In Figure 2.11, find the area of each rectangle.
x 3

x R1 R3
(x + 2)

2 R2 R4

(x + 3)
Figure 2.11
Consider the rectangle in Figure 2.12 which has been divided in to two smaller
ones:
The area A of the bigger rectangle is given by: A = a(b + c).
The area of the smaller rectangles are given by A 1 = ab and A 2 = ac; but the sum
of the areas of the two smaller rectangles are given by,
A 1 + A 2 gives the area A of the bigger rectangle:
b+c

A1 A2
a a

b c
Figure 2.12 Rectangle

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That means: A = A 1 + A 2
a(b + c) = ab + ac
This suggests that a(b + c) = a × b + a × c the factor out side the bracket multiply
each number in the bracket, this process of removing the bracket in a product is
known as expansion.
Similarly consider another rectangle as in Figure 2.13 below.
Area of the shaded region = area of the bigger rectangle–area of the un shaded
region.
Therefore, a (b – c) = ab – ac.
b

a a

b-c c
Figure 2.13 Rectangle

You have seen that the above two examples on area of rectangle, this could be
generalized as in the following way:

Note: For any rational numbers a, b, and c

a. a(b + c) = ab + ac b. a (b – c) = ab – ac
These two properties are called the distributive properties of
multiplication over Addition (subtraction).

Exercise 2D
1. Expand these expressions by using the distributive properties to remove the
brackets in and then simplify.
1. 2(a + b) + 3 (a + b) 6. 7(2d + 3e) + 6 (2e – 2d)
2. 5(2a – b) + 49(a + b) 7. 3(p + 2q) + 3(5p – 2q)
3. 4(5a+c) + 2(3a – c) 8. 5(5q + 4h) + 4(h – 5q)
4. 5(4t – 3s) + 8(3t + 2s) 9. 6(p + 2q + 3r) + 2(3p – 4q + 9r)
5. 5(3z + b) + 4(b – 2z) 10. 2(a + 2b – 3c) + 3(5a – b + 4c) + 4(a + b + c)

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Challenge Problems
11. Remove the brackets and simplify.
a) (x + 1)2 + (x + 2)2 d) (x + 2)2 – (x – 4)2
b) (y – 3)2 + (y – 4)2 e) (2x + 1)2 + (3x + 2)2
c) (x – 2)2 + (x + 4)2 f) (2x – 3)2 + (5x + 4)2

2.2.2 Multiplication of Binomial by Binomial

Activity 2.4
Discuss with your friends / partners
Find the following products
1. (2x + 8) (3x – 6) 4. (2x - 10) (x – 8)
2. (5a + 4) (4a + 6) 5. (2a2 – ab) (20 + x)
3. (2x – 8) (2x + 8) 6. (3x2 + 2x – 5) (x – 1)

Sometimes you will need to multiply brackets expressions. For example (a + b) (c + d).
This means (a + b) multiplied by (c + d) or (a + b) × (c + d).
Look at the rectangles 2.14 below.
The area ‘A’ of the whole rectangle is (a + b) (c + d). It is the same as the sum of the
areas of the four rectangle so: A = A 1 + A 2 + A 3 + A 4
(a + b) (c + d) = ac + ad + bc + bd

c d

a A1 = ac A2 = ad

A3= bc A4 = bd
b

Figure 2.14 Rectangle

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Notice that each term in the first brackets is multiplied by each term in the second
brackets:
a×d
ac
(a + b) (c + d)

b×c
b×d

You can also think of the area of the rectangle as the sum the areas of two separate part
(the upper two rectangles plus the lower two rectangle) see Figure 2.15:
Thus, (a + b) (c + d) = a (c + d) + b(c + d)
Think of multiplying each term in the first bracket by the whole of the second bracket.
These are two ways of thinking about the same process. The end result is the same. This
is called multiplying out the brackets.
C+d

a Area = a(c+d)

b Area = b(c+d)

Figure 2.15 Rectangle

This process could be described as follows.

Note: If (a + b) and (c +d) are any two binomials their product

(a + b)  (c + d) is defined as:

(a + b) × (c + d) = ac + ad + bc + bd

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Example18: Multiply (4x + 4) by (3x + 8)

Solution
(4x + 4) (3x + 8) = (4x  3x) + (4x  8) + (4  3x) + (4  8)
= 12x2 + 32x + 12x + 32
= 12x2 + 44x + 32

Example 19: Multiply (2x + 10) by (3x - 6)

Solution
(2x + 10) (3x - 6) = (2x  3x) – (6  2x) + (10  3x) – (6  10)
= 6x2 - 12x + 30x – 60
= 6x2 + 18x – 60
Example20: Multiply (2x - 3) by (4x - 12)
Solution
(2x - 3) (4x - 12) = (2x  4x) – (12  2x) – (3  4x) + (3  12)
= 8x2 - 24x - 12x + 36
= 8x2 – 36x + 36
In the multiplication of two binomials such as those shown in example 20 above,
the product 2x  4x = 8x2 and -3  -12 = 36 are called end products. Similarly,
the product -12  2x = -24x and -3  4x = -12x are called cross product. Thus
the product of any two binomials could be defined as the sum of the end
products and the cross products. The sum of the cross products is written in the
middle.

Example21: Multiply (4x - 6) by (4x + 10)

end product
Solution
(4x - 6) (4x + 10) = (4x  4x) + (4x  10) – (6  4x) – (6  10)

Cross product

= 16x2 + 40x - 24x – 60

= 16x2 + 16x – 60

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Example22: Multiply (4x-10) by (6x-2)

end product
Solution:
(4x - 10) (6x -2) = (4x  6x)-(24x)-(106x)+(102)

cross product
2
= 24x -8x-60x+20
= 24x2-68x+20
Exercise 2E
Find the products of the following binomials.
1. (2x + 2y) (2x – 2y) 6. -

2. (3x + 16) (2x – 18) 7.

3. (-4x – 6) (-20x + 10) 8. - - -

4. -5 [ ] 9.

5.

Challenge Problems
10. (2x2 + 4x – 6) (x2 + 4)
11. (2x2 – 4x – 6) -
12. -

2.3 Highest Common Factors

Activity 2.5
Discuss with your teacher before starting the lesson.
1. Define and explain the following key terms:
a. Factorizing a number b. Prime factorization
2. Find the HCF of the following.
a. 72 and 220 b. 36, 48 and 72 c. 120, 150 and 200

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3. Find the HCF of the following:

a. 20xyz and 18x2z2
b. 5x3y and 10xy2
c. 3a2b2, 6a3b and 9a3b3
4. Factorize the following expressions.

c.

b. x(2b + 3) + y(2b + 3) d. -

Factorizing
This unit is devoted to the method of describing an expression is called
Factorizing. To factorize an integer means to write the integer as a product of
two or more integers. To factorize a monomial or a Binomial means to express
the monomial or Binomial as a product of two or more monomial or Binomials.
In the product 25 = 10, for example, 2 and 5 are factors of 10. In the product
(3x + 4) (2x) = 6x2 + 8x, the expressions (3x + 4) and 2x are factors of 6x2 + 8x.

Example 23: Factorize each monomial in to its linear factors with coefficient
of prime numbers.
a. 15x3 b. 25x3
Solution:
a. 15x3 = (3× 5) × (x × x × x)
= (3x) × (5x) × (x).
b. 25x = (5 × 5) × (x × x × x)
3

= (5x) × (5x) (x).

Example 24: Factorize each of the following expressions.

a. 6x2 + 12 b. 5x4 + 20x3

Solution:
a. 6x2 + 12 = 6x2 + 6  2
= 6(x2 + 2)
b. 5x4 + 20x3 = 5x3  x + 5x3  4
= 5x3(x + 4)
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Exercise 2F
Factorize each of the following expressions.
1. 2x2 + 6x 6. 3a4b – 5bc3
2. 18xy2 – 12xy3 7. 6x4yz + 15x3y2z
3. 5x3y + 10xy2 8. 8a2b3c4 – 12a3b2c3
4. 16a2b + 24ab2 9. 8xy2 + 28xyz – 4xy
5. 12ab2c3 + 16ac4 10. -10mn3 + 4m2n – 6mn2

Challenge Problems
11. 7a2b3 + 5ab2 + 3a2b 14. 16x4 – 24x3 + 32x2
12. 2a3b3 + 3a3b2 + 4a2b 15. 10x3 + 25x2 + 15x
13. -30abc + 24abc – 18a2b

Highest common factor of two integers

Group Work 2.4
Discuss with your group
For Exercise 1 – 4 factor out the HCF.
1. 15x2 + 5x
2. 5q4 – 10 q5
3. y(5y + 1) – 9(5y + 1)
4. 5x (x – 4) – 2(x – 4)

You begin the study of factorization by factoring integers. The number 20 for example
can be factored as 120, 210, 45 or 225. The product 225 (or equivalently 225)
consists only of prime numbers and is called the prime factorization.
The highest common factor (denoted by HCF) of two or more integers is the highest
factor common to each integer. To find the highest common factor of two integers, it is
often helpful to express the numbers as a product of prime factors as shown in the next
example.
Example 25: Find the highest common factor of each pair of integers.
a. 24 and 36
b. 105 and 40

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Solution:
First find the prime factorization of each number by multiplication or by factor tree
method.
a. i. by multiplication ii. By using factor trees

Factors of 24 = 2×2 ×2× 3 24 36

Factors of 36 = 2×2 ×3× 3 2 12 2 18

2 6 2 9
2 3 3 3

The numbers 24 and 36 share two factors of 2 and one factor of 3. Therefore, the highest
common factor is 223 =12
b. i. By multiplication
Factors of 105 = 3  7 × 5
Factors of 40 = 22 2 × 5
ii. By using factor trees
105 40

35 20
3 2
10
5 7 2

2 5

Therefore, the highest common factors is 5.

Highest common factor (HCF) of two or more monomials

Example 26: Find the HCF among each group of terms.
a. 7x3, 14x2, 21x4
b. 8c2d7e, 6c3d4

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Solution:
List the factors of each term.

a) 7x3 = 7  x x x
14x = 2 
2
7  x x
21x = 3 
4
7xx xx

Therefore, the HCF is 7x2.

8c 2 d 7 e = 2 3 c 2 d 7 e 
b)  The common factors are the common powers of 2, c and d
6c 3 d 4 = 2 × 3 c 3 d 4 
appearing in both factorization to determine the HCF we will take the common
least powers. Thus
The lowest power of 2 is : 21
The lowest power of c is : c2
The lowest power of d is : d4

Therefore, the HCF is 2c2d4.

Example 27: Find the highest common factor between the terms:
3x(a + b) and 2y(a + b)
Solution
3x (a + b)
The only common factor is the binomial (a + b).
2y(a + b)
Therefore, the HCF is (a + b).

Factorizing out the highest common factor

Factorization process is the reverse of multiplication process. Both processes use
the distributive property: ab + ac = a (b + c)

Example 28: Multiply: 5y(y2 + 3y + 1)

= 5y (y2) + 5y(3y) + 5y(1)
= 5y3 + 15y2 + 5y

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Factor: 5y3 + 15y2 + 5y

= 5y(y2) + 5y(3y) + 5y(1)

= 5y (y2 + 3y + 1)
Example 29: Find the highest common factors
a. 6x2 + 3x b. 15y3 + 12y4 c. 9a4b – 18a5b + 27a6b
Solution a. The HCF of 6x2 + 3x is 3x … Observe that 3x is a common factor.
6x2 + 3x = (3x  2x) + (3x  1) … Write each term as the product
of 3x and another factor.
= 3x (2x + 1) …… Use the distributive property to
factor out the HCF.
2
Therefore, the HCF of 6x + 3x is 3x.

 Check: 3x (2x + 1) = 6x2 + 3x

b. The HCF of 15y3 + 12y4 is 3y3 …Observe that 3y3 is a common factor.
15y3 + 12y4 = (3y3  5) + (3y3  4y) …. Write each term as the product of
3y3 and another factor.
= 3y3(5 + 4y) ……Use the distributive property to factor out
the HCF.
Therefore, the HCF of 15y + 12y is 3y3.
3 4

c. 9a4b – 18a5b + 27a6b is 9a4b …Observe that 9a4b is a common factor.

= (9a4b  1) – (9a4b  2a) + (9a4b  3a2) …… Write each term as the
product of 9a4b and another factor.
= 9a4b(1 – 2a + 3a2) …… Use the distributive property to factor out the
HCF.
Therefore the HCF of 9a b - 18a5b + 27a6b is 9a4b.
4

Factorizing, out a binomial factor

The distributive property may also be used to factor out a common factor that
consists of more than one term such as a binomial as shown in the next example.

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Example 30: Factor out the highest common factor:

2x (5x + 3) – 5(5x + 3)
Solution
2x(5x + 3) – 5(5x + 3) …….. The Highest common factor is the binomial
5x + 3
= (5x + 3)  (2x) – (5x + 3)  (5) ……… Write each term as the product
of (5x + 3) and another factor.
= (5x + 3) (2x – 5) ….. Use the distributive property to factor out the
HCF.

Check: (5x + 3) (2x – 5) = (5x + 3) (2x) + (5x + 3) (-5)

= 2x (5x + 3) – 5(5x + 3)

Exercise 2G
1. Find the highest common factor among each group of terms.
a. -8xy and 20y e. 3x2y, 6xy2 and 9xyz
b. 20xyz and 15yz2 f. 15a3b2 and 20ab3c
c. 6x and 3x2 g. 6ab4c2 and 12a2b3cd
d. 2ab, 6abc and 4a2c
2. Find the highest common factor of the pairs of the terms given below.
a. (2a – b) and 3(2a – b) e. 21x (x + 3) and 7x2(x + 3)
b. 7(x – y) and 9(x – y) f. 5y3(y – 2) and -20y(y – 2)
c. 14(3x + 1)2 and 7(3x + 1)
d. a2(x + y) and a3(x + y)2
3. Factor out the highest common factor.
a. 13(a + 6) – 4b (a + 6) d. 4(x + 5)2 + 5x(x + 5) – (x + 5)
b. 7(x2 + 2) – y(x2 + 2) e. 6(z – 1)3 + 7z(z – 1)2 – (z – 1)
c. 8x(y2 – 2) + (y2 – 2) f. x4 – 4x

Challenge Problems
4. Factor by grouping: 3ax + 12a + 2bx + 8b

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Summary For Unit 2

1. A variable is a symbol or letter used to represent an unspecified value in
expression.
2. An algebraic expression is a collection of variables and constant under
algebraic operations of addition or subtraction. For example, y + 10 and
2t – 2 × 8 are algebraic expressions.
The symbols used to show the four basic operations of addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division are summarized in Table 2.1

Table 2.1
Operation Symbols Translation
Addition x+y  Sum of x and y
 x plus y
 y added to x
 y more than x
 x increased by y
 the total of x and y
Subtraction x–y  difference of x and y
 x minus y
 y subtracted from x
 x decreased by y
 y less than x
Multiplication x  y, x(y), xy  product of x and y
 x times y
 x multiplied by y
Division x ÷ y, ,  Quotient of x and y
 x divided by y
 y divided into x
 ratio of x and y
 x over y
3. For any rational numbers a, b and c
a. a(b + c) = ab + ac
b. a(b – c) = ab – ac
These two properties are called the distributive properties.

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4. If (a + b) and (c + d) are any two binomials whose product (a + b) (c + d) is

defined as (a + b) (c + d) = ac + ad + bc + bd.
5. The highest common factor (HCF) of numbers is the greatest number which
is a common factor of the numbers.
The procedures of one of the ways to find the HCF is given below:
1) List the factors of the numbers.
2) Find the common factors of the numbers.
3) Determine the highest common factors of these common factors.

Miscellaneous Exercise 2
I. State whether each statement is true or false for all positive integers x, y, z and w.
1. If a number y has z positive integer factors, then y and 2z integer
factors.
2. If 2 is a factor of y and 3 is a factor of y, then 6 is a factor of y.
3. If y has exactly 2 positive integer factors, then y is a prime numbers.
4. If y has exactly 3 positive integer factors, then y is a square.
5. If y has exactly 4 positive integer factors, then y is a cube.
6. If x is a factor of y and y is a factor z, then x is a factor of z.

II. Choose the correct answer from the given four alternatives.
7. A triangle with sides 6, 8 and 10 has the same perimeter as a square
with sides of length ?
a. 6 b. 4 c. 8 d. 12
8. If x + y = 10 and x – y = 6, what is the value of x3 – y3?
a. 604 b. 504 c. 520 d. -520
9. If ab + 5a + 3b + 15 = 24 and a + 3 = 6, then b + 5 = ?
a. 5 b. 50 c.4 d. 12
2 2 2
10. If ab = 5 and a + b = 25, then (a + b) = ?
a. 35 b. 20 c. 15 d. 30
11. If n is an integer, what is the sum of the next three consecutive even
integers greater than 2n?
a. 6n + 12 b. 6n + 10 c. 6n + 4 d. 6n + 8

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12. One of the following equation is false.

a. A = bh for h = c. P = 2( + w) for -w

-
b. A = 2s2 + 4sh for h = d. A = bh for h =

13. If x = 6 and y = 2, then what is the value of 3x2 – 4 + 8.

b. c. d.
14. Find the value of y, if y = x2 – 6 and x = 7.
a. 49 b. 7 c. 43 d. 45
15. If x = 2 and y = 3, then what is the value of yx + xy  y + x?
a. 9 b. -29 c. 29 d. 18
a
a+
16. If a = 4 and b = 7, then what is the value of b?
a
a−
b
a. 8 b. 1 c. d.

III. Work out Problems

17. Simplify each of the following expressions.
a. (x3 + 2x – 3) – (x2 – 2x + 4)
b. 2x(3x + 4) – 3(x + 5)
c. x (y2 + 5xy) + 2xy(3x – 2y )
d. 2(a2b2 – 4a3b3) – 8(ab2 – 3a2b2)
18. Express the volume of this cube.

x-1

x-1
x-1
x-1

Figure 2.16 cube

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19. Find the surface area of this cube.

3x-y

3x-y
3x-y
Figure 2.17 cube

20. Prove that the sum of five consecutive natural number is even.
21. Prove that 6(n + 6) – (2n + 3) is odd numbers for all n
22. Multiply the expressions.
a. (7x + y) (7x – y) f. (5a – 4b) (2a – b)
b. (5k + 3t) (5k + 3t) g. (5x – 3)
c. (7x – 3y) (3x – 8y) h. (2h + 2·7) (2h - 2·7)
d. (5z + 3)(z2 + 4z – 1) i. (k – 3)3

e. - j. (k + 3)3
23. Find the highest common factor for each expression.
a. 12x2 – 6x e. 4x (3x – y) + 5(3x – y)
b. 8x(x – 2) -2(x – 2) f. 2 (5x + 9) + 8x(5x + 9)
c. 8(y + 5) + 9y(y + 5) g. 8q9 + 24q3
d. y(5y + 1) – 8 (5y + 1)
24. Find three consecutive numbers whose sum shall equal 45.
25. Find three consecutive numbers such that twice the greatest added to three
times the least amount to 34.
26. Find two numbers whose sum is 36 and whose difference is 10.
27. If a is one factor of x, what is the other factor?
28. Find the value of (x+5) (x+2) + (x−3) (x −4) in its simplest form. What is the
numerical value when x = -6?
29. Simplify (x + 2) (x + 10) − (x − 5) (x − 4). Find the numerical value of this
expression when x = -3.

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