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Section

P.5

Factoring Polynomials

Objectives

two-year-old boy is asked, Do

you have a brother? He answers,
Yes. What is your brothers
name? Tom. Asked if Tom has a
brother, the two-year-old replies,
No. The child can go in the direction
from self to brother, but he cannot
reverse this direction and move from
brother back to self.
As our intellects develop, we learn
to reverse the direction of our thinking.
Reversibility of thought is found
throughout algebra. For example, we
can multiply polynomials and show that

Factor out the greatest

common factor of a
polynomial.
Factor by grouping.
Factor trinomials.
Factor the difference of
squares.
Factor perfect square
trinomials.
Factor the sum or difference
of two cubes.
Use a general strategy for
factoring polynomials.
Factor algebraic expressions
containing fractional and
negative exponents.

5x12x + 32 = 10x2 + 15x.

We can also reverse this process and express the resulting polynomial as
10x2 + 15x = 5x12x + 32.
Factoring a polynomial containing the sum of monomials means finding an
equivalent expression that is a product.
Factoring 10x 2  15x
Sum of monomials

Equivalent expression
that is a product

10x2+15x=5x(2x+3)
The factors of 10x2 + 15x
are 5x and 2x + 3.

In this section, we will be factoring over the set of integers, meaning that the
coefficients in the factors are integers. Polynomials that cannot be factored using
integer coefficients are called irreducible over the integers, or prime.
The goal in factoring a polynomial is to use one or more factoring techniques
until each of the polynomials factors, except possibly for a monomial factor, is
prime or irreducible. In this situation, the polynomial is said to be factored
completely.
We will now discuss basic techniques for factoring polynomials.

Factor out the greatest common

factor of a polynomial.

Common Factors
In any factoring problem, the first step is to look for the greatest common factor. The
greatest common factor, abbreviated GCF, is an expression of the highest degree
that divides each term of the polynomial. The distributive property in the reverse
direction
ab + ac = a1b + c2
can be used to factor out the greatest common factor.

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Section P.5 Factoring Polynomials

Factoring Out the Greatest Common Factor

EXAMPLE 1
Study Tip
The variable part of the greatest
common factor always contains the
smallest power of a variable or
algebraic expression that appears in
all terms of the polynomial.

b. x21x + 32 + 51x + 32.

a. 18x3 + 27x2

Factor:

57

Solution

a. First, determine the greatest common factor.

9 is the greatest integer that divides 18 and 27.

18x3+27x2
x2 is the greatest expression that divides x3 and x2.

The GCF of the two terms of the polynomial is 9x2.

18x3 + 27x2
= 9x212x2 + 9x2132

Express each term as the product of the

GCF and its other factor.
Factor out the GCF.

= 9x212x + 32
b. In this situation, the greatest common factor is the common binomial factor
1x + 32. We factor out this common factor as follows:
x21x + 32 + 51x + 32 = 1x + 321x2 + 52.

Check Point
3

a. 10x - 4x

Factor by grouping.

Factor out the common binomial factor.

Factor:

b. 2x1x - 72 + 31x - 72.

Factoring by Grouping
Some polynomials have only a greatest common factor of 1. However, by a suitable
grouping of the terms, it still may be possible to factor. This process, called factoring
by grouping, is illustrated in Example 2.

Factoring by Grouping

EXAMPLE 2
Factor:

x3 + 4x2 + 3x + 12.

Solution There is no factor other than 1 common to all terms. However, we can
group terms that have a common factor:
x3+4x2 +
Common factor
is x2.

3x+12 .
Common factor
is 3.

We now factor the given polynomial as follows:

x3 + 4x2 + 3x + 12

Discovery
In Example 2, group the terms as
follows:
1x3 + 3x2 + 14x2 + 122.
Factor out the greatest common
factor from each group and complete
the factoring process. Describe what
happens. What can you conclude?

= 1x3 + 4x22 + 13x + 122

= x21x + 42 + 31x + 42

= 1x + 421x2 + 32.

Group terms with common factors.

Factor out the greatest common factor
from the grouped terms. The remaining two
terms have x + 4 as a common binomial
factor.
Factor out the GCF, x + 4.

Thus, x3 + 4x2 + 3x + 12 = 1x + 421x2 + 32. Check the factorization by

multiplying the right side of the equation using the FOIL method. Because the
factorization is correct, you should obtain the original polynomial.

Check Point

Factor:

x 3 + 5x2 - 2x - 10.

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58 Chapter P Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

Factor trinomials.

Factoring Trinomials
To factor a trinomial of the form ax 2 + bx + c, a little trial and error may be necessary.

A Strategy for Factoring ax2  bx  c

Assume, for the moment, that there is no greatest common factor.
1. Find two First terms whose product is ax2:
( x+ )( x+ )=ax2+bx+c.
2. Find two Last terms whose product is c:
( x+ )( x+ )=ax2+bx+c.

Study Tip
The error part of the factoring strategy
plays an important role in the
process. If you do not get the correct
factorization the first time, this is not
a bad thing. This error is often
helpful in leading you to the correct
factorization.

3. By trial and error, perform steps 1 and 2 until the sum of the Outside product
and Inside product is bx:
( x+ )( x+ )=ax2+bx+c.
I
O
Sum of O+I
If no such combination exists, the polynomial is prime.

EXAMPLE 3
Factor:

Factoring a Trinomial Whose Leading Coefficient Is 1

x 2 + 6x + 8.

Solution
Step 1 Find two First terms whose product is x 2.
x2 + 6x + 8 = 1x
21x
Step 2 Find two Last terms whose product is 8.
Factors of 8

8, 1

4, 2

2
- 8, -1

- 4, - 2

Step 3 Try various combinations of these factors. The correct factorization of

x 2 + 6x + 8 is the one in which the sum of the Outside and Inside products is equal
to 6x. Here is a list of the possible factorizations:
Possible Factorizations
of x2  6x  8

Sum of Outside and Inside

Products (Should Equal 6x)

(x+8)(x+1)

x+8x=9x

(x+4)(x+2)

2x+4x=6x

(x-8)(x-1)

x-8x=9x

(x-4)(x-2)

2x-4x=6x

This is the required

middle term.

Thus, x2 + 6x + 8 = 1x + 421x + 22 or 1x + 221x + 42.

In factoring a trinomial of the form x2 + bx + c, you can speed things up by
listing the factors of c and then finding their sums. We are interested in a sum of b.
For example, in factoring x2 + 6x + 8, we are interested in the factors of 8 whose
sum is 6.
Factors of 8
Sum of Factors

8, 1

4, 2

8, 1

4, 2

This is the desired sum.

Thus, x2 + 6x + 8 = 1x + 421x + 22.

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Section P.5 Factoring Polynomials

Check Point

x2 + 13x + 40.

Factoring a Trinomial Whose Leading Coefficient Is 1

EXAMPLE 4
Factor:

Factor:

59

x 2 + 3x - 18.

Solution
Step 1 Find two First terms whose product is x 2.
x2 + 3x - 18 = 1x
21x
2
To find the second term of each factor, we must find two integers whose product is
-18 and whose sum is 3.
Step 2 Find two Last terms whose product is 18.
Factors of - 18

18, -1

- 18, 1

9, - 2

- 9, 2

6, - 3

- 6, 3

Step 3 Try various combinations of these factors. We are looking for the pair of
factors whose sum is 3.
Factors of 18

18, 1

18, 1

9, 2

9, 2

6, 3

6, 3

Sum of Factors

17

17

This is the desired sum.

Thus, x2 + 3x - 18 = 1x + 621x - 32 or 1x - 321x + 62.

Check Point
EXAMPLE 5
Factor:

Factor:

x2 - 5x - 14.

Factoring a Trinomial Whose Leading Coefficient

Is Not 1

8x 2 - 10x - 3.

Solution
Step 1 Find two First terms whose product is 8x 2.
8x2 - 10x - 3 18x
21x

8x - 10x - 3 14x
212x
2
Step 2 Find two Last terms whose product is 3. The possible factorizations are
11-32 and -1132.
Step 3 Try various combinations of these factors. The correct factorization of
8x2 - 10x - 3 is the one in which the sum of the Outside and Inside products is
equal to -10x. Here is a list of the possible factorizations:
2

These four factorizations use

(8x
)(x
)
with 1(3) and 1(3) as
factorizations of 3.

These four factorizations use

(4x
)(2x
)
with 1(3) and 1(3) as
factorizations of 3.

Thus,

Possible Factorizations
of 8x2  10x  3

Sum of Outside and Inside

Products (Should Equal 10x)

(8x+1)(x-3)

24x+x=23x

(8x-3)(x+1)

8x-3x=5x

(8x-1)(x+3)

24x-x=23x

(8x+3)(x-1)

8x+3x=5x

(4x+1)(2x-3)

12x+2x=10x

(4x-3)(2x+1)

4x-6x=2x

(4x-1)(2x+3)

12x-2x=10x

(4x+3)(2x-1)

4x+6x=2x

This is the required

middle term.

8x2 - 10x - 3 = 14x + 1212x - 32 or 12x - 3214x + 12.

Use FOIL multiplication to check either of these factorizations.

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Study Tip
Here are some suggestions for
reducing the list of possible
factorizations for ax2 + bx + c:
1. If b is relatively small, avoid the
larger factors of a.
2. If c is positive, the signs in both
binomial factors must match the
sign of b.
3. If the trinomial has no common
factor, no binomial factor can
have a common factor.
4. Reversing the signs in the
binomial factors reverses the
sign of bx, the middle term.

Check Point

6x2 + 19x - 7.

Factoring a Trinomial in Two Variables

EXAMPLE 6
Factor:

Factor:

2x 2 - 7xy + 3y2.

Solution
Step 1 Find two First terms whose product is 2x 2.
2x2 - 7xy + 3y2 = 12x

21x

Step 2 Find two Last terms whose product is 3y 2. The possible factorizations are
1y213y2 and 1-y21 -3y2.

Step 3 Try various combinations of these factors. The correct factorization of

2x2 - 7xy + 3y2 is the one in which the sum of the Outside and Inside products is
equal to -7xy. Here is a list of possible factorizations:

Possible Factorizations
of 2x2  7xy  3y2

Sum of Outside and Inside

Products (Should Equal 7xy)

(2x+3y)(x+y)

2xy+3xy=5xy

(2x+y)(x+3y)

6xy+xy=7xy

(2x-3y)(x-y)

2xy-3xy=5xy

(2x-y)(x-3y)

6xy-xy=7xy

This is the required

middle term.

Thus,
2x2 - 7xy + 3y2 = 12x - y21x - 3y2 or 1x - 3y212x - y2.
Use FOIL multiplication to check either of these factorizations.

Check Point

Factor the difference of squares.

Factor:

3x2 - 13xy + 4y2.

Factoring the Difference of Two Squares

A method for factoring the difference of two squares is obtained by reversing the
special product for the sum and difference of two terms.

The Difference of Two Squares

If A and B are real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions, then
A2 - B2 = 1A + B21A - B2.
In words: The difference of the squares of two terms factors as the product of a
sum and a difference of those terms.

EXAMPLE 7
Factor:

Factoring the Difference of Two Squares

a. x2 - 4

b. 81x2 - 49.

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Section P.5 Factoring Polynomials

61

Solution We must express each term as the square of some monomial. Then we
use the formula for factoring A2 - B2.
a.

x2-4=x2 - 22 = (x+2)(x-2)
A2

B2

(A + B) (A B)

b. 81x2-49=(9x)2-72=(9x+7)(9x-7)

Check Point

a. x2 - 81

Factor:
b. 36x2 - 25.

We have seen that a polynomial is factored completely when it is written as the

product of prime polynomials. To be sure that you have factored completely, check
to see whether any factors with more than one term in the factored polynomial can
be factored further. If so, continue factoring.

A Repeated Factorization

EXAMPLE 8
Factor completely:

Solution

Study Tip

x 4 - 81 = 1x22 - 92
2

Factoring x4 - 81 as
1x + 921x - 92
2

is not a complete factorization. The

second factor, x2 - 9, is itself a
difference of two squares and can be
factored.

= 1x2 + 921x2 - 92
= 1x2 + 921x2 - 322
= 1x2 + 921x + 321x - 32

Check Point

x4 - 81.

Factor perfect square trinomials.

Factor completely:

Express as the difference of two squares.

The factors are the sum and the difference of
the expressions being squared.
The factor x2 - 9 is the difference of two
squares and can be factored.
The factors of x2 - 9 are the sum and the
difference of the expressions being squared.

81x 4 - 16.

Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials

Our next factoring technique is obtained by reversing the special products for
squaring binomials. The trinomials that are factored using this technique are called
perfect square trinomials.

Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials

Let A and B be real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions.
1. A2+2AB+B2=(A+B)2
Same sign

2. A2-2AB+B2=(A-B)2
Same sign

The two items in the box show that perfect square trinomials, A2 + 2AB + B2
and A2 - 2AB + B2, come in two forms: one in which the coefficient of the middle
term is positive and one in which the coefficient of the middle term is negative.
Heres how to recognize a perfect square trinomial:
1. The first and last terms are squares of monomials or integers.
2. The middle term is twice the product of the expressions being squared in the
first and last terms.

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Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials

EXAMPLE 9

a. x2 + 6x + 9

Factor:

b. 25x2 - 60x + 36.

Solution
a. x2+6x+9=x2 +2
x
3 +32=(x+3)2
A2

2AB

B2

The middle term has a

positive sign.

(A + B)2

b. We suspect that 25x2 - 60x + 36 is a perfect square trinomial because

25x2 = 15x22 and 36 = 62. The middle term can be expressed as twice the
product of 5x and 6.
25x2-60x+36=(5x)2-2
5x
6+62=(5x-6)2
A2

Check Point

Factor the sum or difference of

two cubes.

B2

(A B)2

b. 16x2 - 56x + 49.

Factoring the Sum or Difference of Two Cubes

We can use the following formulas to factor the sum or the difference of two cubes:

1. Factoring the Sum of Two Cubes

A Cube of SOAP

A3+B3=(A+B)(A2-AB+B2)

When factoring sums or differences

of cubes, observe the sign patterns
shown by the voice balloons in the
box. The word SOAP is a way to
remember these patterns:

Same
signs

Factoring the Sum or Difference of Two Cubes

Study Tip

2AB

Factor:

a. x2 + 14x + 49

O A
Opposite
signs

P.

Same signs

Opposite signs

Always positive

2. Factoring the Difference of Two Cubes

A3-B3=(A-B)(A2+AB+B2)

Always
Positive

Same signs

Opposite signs

Always positive

EXAMPLE 10 Factoring Sums and Differences of Two Cubes

Factor:

a. x3 + 8

b. 64x3 - 125.

Solution
a. To factor x 3 + 8, we must express each term as the cube of some monomial.
Then we use the formula for factoring A3 + B3.
x3+8=x3+23=(x+2)(x2-x
2+22)=(x+2)(x2-2x+4)
A3

B3

(A + B) (A2 AB

B2)

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Section P.5 Factoring Polynomials

63

b. To factor 64x3 - 125, we must express each term as the cube of some monomial.
Then we use the formula for factoring A3 - B3.
64x3-125=(4x)3-53=(4x-5)[(4x)2+(4x)(5)+52]
A3 B3 = (A B) (A2 + AB + B2)

=(4x-5)(16x2+20x+25)

Check Point
a. x3 + 1

Use a general strategy for

factoring polynomials.

10

Factor:
b. 125x3 - 8.

A Strategy for Factoring Polynomials

It is important to practice factoring a wide variety of polynomials so that you can
quickly select the appropriate technique. The polynomial is factored completely
when all its polynomial factors, except possibly for monomial factors, are prime.
Because of the commutative property, the order of the factors does not matter.

A Strategy for Factoring a Polynomial

1. If there is a common factor, factor out the GCF.
2. Determine the number of terms in the polynomial and try factoring as
follows:
a. If there are two terms, can the binomial be factored by using one of the
following special forms?
Difference of two squares: A2 - B2 = 1A + B21A - B2
Sum of two cubes:
Difference of two cubes:

A3 + B3 = 1A + B21A2 - AB + B22
A3 - B3 = 1A - B21A2 + AB + B22

b. If there are three terms, is the trinomial a perfect square trinomial? If so,
factor by using one of the following special forms:
A2 + 2AB + B2 = 1A + B22

A2 - 2AB + B2 = 1A - B22.
If the trinomial is not a perfect square trinomial, try factoring by trial and
error.
c. If there are four or more terms, try factoring by grouping.
3. Check to see if any factors with more than one term in the factored
polynomial can be factored further. If so, factor completely.

EXAMPLE 11 Factoring a Polynomial

Factor:

2x3 + 8x2 + 8x.

Solution
Step 1 If there is a common factor, factor out the GCF. Because 2x is common to
all terms, we factor it out.
2x3 + 8x2 + 8x = 2x1x2 + 4x + 42

Factor out the GCF.

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64 Chapter P Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

Step 2 Determine the number of terms and factor accordingly. The factor
x2 + 4x + 4 has three terms and is a perfect square trinomial. We factor using
A2 + 2AB + B2 = 1A + B22.
2x3 + 8x2 + 8x = 2x1x2 + 4x + 42
=2x(x2+2
x
2+22)
+

A2

2AB

B2

A2 + 2AB + B2 = 1A + B22

= 2x1x + 222

Step 3 Check to see if factors can be factored further. In this problem, they
cannot. Thus,
2x3 + 8x2 + 8x = 2x1x + 222.

Check Point

11

Factor:

3x3 - 30x2 + 75x.

EXAMPLE 12 Factoring a Polynomial

Factor:

x2 - 25a2 + 8x + 16.

Solution
Step 1 If there is a common factor, factor out the GCF. Other than 1 or -1, there
is no common factor.
Step 2 Determine the number of terms and factor accordingly. There are four
terms. We try factoring by grouping. It can be shown that grouping into two groups
of two terms does not result in a common binomial factor. Lets try grouping as a
difference of squares.
x2 - 25a2 + 8x + 16
= 1x2 + 8x + 162 - 25a2
= 1x + 422 - 15a22

Rearrange terms and group as a perfect square

trinomial minus 25a2 to obtain a difference of
squares.
Factor the perfect square trinomial.

= 1x + 4 + 5a21x + 4 - 5a2

Factor the difference of squares. The factors are

the sum and difference of the expressions being
squared.

Step 3 Check to see if factors can be factored further. In this case, they cannot, so
we have factored completely.

Check Point

Factor algebraic expressions

containing fractional and
negative exponents.

12

Factor:

x2 - 36a2 + 20x + 100.

Factoring Algebraic Expressions Containing Fractional

and Negative Exponents
Although expressions containing fractional and negative exponents are not
polynomials, they can be simplified using factoring techniques.

EXAMPLE 13 Factoring Involving Fractional and Negative

Exponents
Factor and simplify:

x1x + 12

3
4

+ 1x + 124.
1

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Section P.5 Factoring Polynomials

Solution The greatest common factor of x1x + 12

65

+ 1x + 124 is x + 1 with the

3
4

smaller exponent in the two terms. Thus, the greatest common factor is 1x + 12 4.
-

x1x + 12

+ 1x + 124

3
4

= 1x + 12 4x + 1x + 12 41x + 12
-

= 1x + 12 43x + 1x + 124
-

1x +

Check Point

b-n =

3
12 4

13

Express each term as the product of the

greatest common factor and its other
factor.
Factor out the greatest common factor.

2x + 1
=

Factor and simplify:

1
bn

x1x - 12

1
2

+ 1x - 122.
1

Exercise Set P.5

Practice Exercises

In Exercises 4956, factor each perfect square trinomial.

In Exercises 110, factor out the greatest common factor.

49. x2 + 2x + 1

50. x2 + 4x + 4

1. 18x + 27

2. 16x - 24

51. x2 - 14x + 49

52. x2 - 10x + 25

3. 3x 2 + 6x

4. 4x2 - 8x

53. 4x2 + 4x + 1

54. 25x2 + 10x + 1

5. 9x4 - 18x3 + 27x2

6. 6x4 - 18x3 + 12x2

55. 9x2 - 6x + 1

56. 64x 2 - 16x + 1

7. x1x + 52 + 31x + 52

9. x21x - 32 + 121x - 32

8. x12x + 12 + 412x + 12

10. x212x + 52 + 1712x + 52

In Exercises 5764, factor using the formula for the sum or

difference of two cubes.

In Exercises 1116, factor by grouping.

57. x 3 + 27

58. x 3 + 64

11. x3 - 2x2 + 5x - 10

12. x3 - 3x2 + 4x - 12

59. x 3 - 64

60. x 3 - 27

13. x3 - x2 + 2x - 2

14. x3 + 6x2 - 2x - 12

61. 8x 3 - 1

62. 27x 3 - 1

15. 3x3 - 2x2 - 6x + 4

16. x3 - x2 - 5x + 5

63. 64x 3 + 27

64. 8x 3 + 125

In Exercises 1738, factor each trinomial, or state that the trinomial

is prime.

In Exercises 6592, factor completely, or state that the polynomial

is prime.

17. x2 + 5x + 6

65. 3x 3 - 3x

66. 5x3 - 45x

67. 4x2 - 4x - 24

68. 6x 2 - 18x - 60

69. 2x 4 - 162

70. 7x4 - 7

71. x3 + 2x2 - 9x - 18

72. x3 + 3x2 - 25x - 75

73. 2x2 - 2x - 112

74. 6x 2 - 6x - 12

75. x 3 - 4x

76. 9x 3 - 9x

77. x 2 + 64

78. x2 + 36

79. x3 + 2x2 - 4x - 8

80. x3 + 2x2 - x - 2

81. y5 - 81y

82. y5 - 16y

83. 20y4 - 45y2

84. 48y4 - 3y2

85. x2 - 12x + 36 - 49y2

86. x2 - 10x + 25 - 36y2

19. x - 2x - 15
2

21. x - 8x + 15
2

23. 3x - x - 2
2

18. x2 + 8x + 15
2

20. x - 4x - 5
2

22. x - 14x + 45
2

24. 2x + 5x - 3
2

25. 3x - 25x - 28

26. 3x - 2x - 5

27. 6x2 - 11x + 4

28. 6x2 - 17x + 12

29. 4x2 + 16x + 15

30. 8x2 + 33x + 4

31. 9x2 - 9x + 2

32. 9x2 + 5x - 4

33. 20x2 + 27x - 8

34. 15x2 - 19x + 6

35. 2x2 + 3xy + y2

36. 3x2 + 4xy + y2

37. 6x2 - 5xy - 6y2

38. 6x2 - 7xy - 5y2

In Exercises 3948, factor the difference of two squares.

87. 9b2 x - 16y - 16x + 9b2y

39. x 2 - 100

40. x2 - 144

41. 36x 2 - 49

42. 64x2 - 81

88. 16a2 x - 25y - 25x + 16a2 y

43. 9x2 - 25y2

44. 36x2 - 49y2

89. x2 y - 16y + 32 - 2x2

45. x 4 - 16

46. x4 - 1

91. 2x3 - 8a2 x + 24x2 + 72x

47. 16x 4 - 81

48. 81x4 - 1

92. 2x3 - 98a2 x + 28x2 + 98x

90. 12x2y - 27y - 4x2 + 9

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In Exercises 93102, factor and simplify each algebraic expression.
93.

3
x2

95.

2
4x 3

1
x2
1
8x3

97. 1x + 322 - 1x + 322

1

99. 1x + 52

100. 1x2 + 32

- 1x + 52

1
2

2
3

96.

3
12x 4

a. Write an expression for the area of the shaded region.

1
6x4
3

In Exercises 117120,

1
x4

b. Write the expression in factored form.

98. 1x2 + 422 + 1x2 + 422

94.

3
x4

117.

118.
2

3
2

+ 1x2 + 32

3x
5
3

101. 14x - 122 - 1314x - 122

1

3
2

7x

3x

102. - 814x + 32-2 + 1015x + 1214x + 32-1

119.

7x

120.

Practice Plus

In Exercises 103114, factor completely.

103. 10x21x + 12 - 7x1x + 12 - 61x + 12

x+y

104. 12x21x - 12 - 4x1x - 12 - 51x - 12

y
y
y

105. 6x4 + 35x2 - 6

106. 7x4 + 34x2 - 5

107. y7 + y

108. 1y + 123 + 1

109. x4 - 5x2 y2 + 4y4

110. x4 - 10x2 y2 + 9y4

111. 1x - y24 - 41x - y22

112. 1x + y24 - 1001x + y22

In Exercises 121122, find the formula for the volume of the

region outside the smaller rectangular solid and inside the larger
rectangular solid. Then express the volume in factored form.

113. 2x2 - 7xy2 + 3y4

114. 3x2 + 5xy2 + 2y4

121.

Application Exercises

115. Your computer store is having an incredible sale. The price

on one model is reduced by 40%. Then the sale price is
reduced by another 40%. If x is the computers original
price, the sale price can be modeled by
1x - 0.4x2 - 0.41x - 0.4x2.
a. Factor out 1x - 0.4x2 from each term. Then simplify
the resulting expression.
b. Use the simplified expression from part (a) to answer
these questions. With a 40% reduction followed by a
40% reduction, is the computer selling at 20% of its
original price? If not, at what percentage of the original
price is it selling?
116. Your local electronics store is having an end-of-the-year
sale. The price on a plasma television had been reduced by
30%. Now the sale price is reduced by another 30%. If x is
the televisions original price, the sale price can be modeled
by
1x - 0.3x2 - 0.31x - 0.3x2.
a. Factor out 1x - 0.3x2 from each term. Then simplify
the resulting expression.
b. Use the simplified expression from part (a) to answer
these questions. With a 30% reduction followed by a
30% reduction, is the television selling at 40% of its
original price? If not, at what percentage of the original
price is it selling?

b
b

4a

122.

b
b
3a
a

Writing in Mathematics
123. Using an example, explain how to factor out the greatest
common factor of a polynomial.
124. Suppose that a polynomial contains four terms. Explain
how to use factoring by grouping to factor the polynomial.
125. Explain how to factor 3x2 + 10x + 8.
126. Explain how to factor the difference of two squares. Provide
an example with your explanation.
127. What is a perfect square trinomial and how is it factored?
128. Explain how to factor x3 + 1.
129. What does it mean to factor completely?

P-BLTZMC0P_001-134-hr

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Page 67

Mid-Chapter Check Point

Critical Thinking Exercises

In Exercises 138141, factor completely.

Make Sense? In Exercises 130133, determine whether each

statement makes sense or does not make sense, and explain your
reasoning.

138. x2n + 6xn + 8

131. You grouped the polynomials terms using different groupings than I did, yet we both obtained the same factorization.
completely

and

obtained

133. First factoring out the greatest common factor makes it

easier for me to determine how to factor the remaining
factor, assuming that it is not prime.
In Exercises 134137, determine whether each statement is true or
false. If the statement is false, make the necessary change(s) to
produce a true statement.

139. - x2 - 4x + 5

140. x4 - y4 - 2x3y + 2xy3

141. 1x - 52 21x + 52
-

130. Although 20x3 appears in both 20x3 + 8x2 and 20x3 + 10x,
Ill need to factor 20x 3 in different ways to obtain each
polynomials factorization.

132. I factored 4x2 - 100

12x + 10212x - 102.

1
2

- 1x + 5221x - 52

135. The trinomial x2 - 4x - 4 is a prime polynomial.

136. x + 36 = 1x + 62

137. x3 - 64 = 1x + 421x2 + 4x - 162

Chapter

142. x2 + bx + 15

bn =

3
2

143. x2 + 4x + b

Exercises 144146 will help you prepare for the material covered
in the next section.
144. Factor the numerator and the denominator. Then simplify
by dividing out the common factor in the numerator and
the denominator.
x2 + 6x + 5
x2 - 25
In Exercises 145146, perform the indicated operation. Where
possible, reduce the answer to its lowest terms.
5# 8
4 15

146.

1
2
+
2
3

Mid-Chapter Check Point

rational6 5x x is irrational64 and graphed them as

points on a number line. We reviewed the basic rules of
algebra, using these properties to simplify algebraic
expressions. We expanded our knowledge of exponents to
include exponents other than natural numbers:
1
;
bn

Preview Exercises

145.

What You Know: We defined the real numbers 35x x is

b0 = 1; b -n =

In Exercises 142143, find all integers b so that the trinomial can

be factored.

134. x4 - 16 is factored completely as 1x2 + 421x2 - 42.

2

67

1
bn

1
= bn;
b-n

n
n
b B m = 2bm ; b
A2

m
-n

= 2b;

1
=
b

m.
n

We used properties of exponents to simplify exponential

expressions and properties of radicals to simplify radical
expressions. Finally, we performed operations with polynomials. We used a number of fast methods for finding
products of polynomials, including the FOIL method for
multiplying binomials, a special-product formula for the
product of the sum and difference of two terms
31A + B21A - B2 = A2 - B24, and special-product formulas for squaring binomials 31A + B22 = A2 + 2AB + B2;
1A - B22 = A2 - 2AB + B24. We reversed the direction
of these formulas and reviewed how to factor polynomials.
We used a general strategy, summarized in the box on page
63, for factoring a wide variety of polynomials.

In Exercises 127, simplify the given expression or perform the

indicated operation (and simplify, if possible), whichever is
appropriate.
1. 13x + 5214x - 72

2. 13x + 52 - 14x - 72

3. 26 + 926

4. 3212 - 227

5. 7x + 339 - 12x - 624

6. 18x - 322

7. A x3y
1

1 6
2

9. 12x - 52 - 1x2 - 3x + 12
11. x3 + x3 - x3 # x3
13. 5a, c, d, e6 5c, d, f, h6

2
2 0
8. a b - 32 5
7

10. 12x - 521x2 - 3x + 12

12. 19a - 10b212a + b2

14. 5a, c, d, e6 5c, d, f, h6

15. 13x y - xy + 4y 2 - 1 -2x y - 3xy + 5y22

2 3

16.

24x 2 y13

2 3

1
17. a x -5 y4 b118x -2 y -12
3

5 -2

-2x y

18. 2
C x4
19. [4y - (3x + 2)][4y + (3x + 2)]
20. (x - 2y - 1)2
21.
22.

24 * 103
2 * 106
2
3 32
2
32

(Express the answer in scientific notation.)

23. 1x3 + 221x3 - 22