F.
2 Mathematics
Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
Lecture Note
Note:
1. Factorization of Polynomials
(a) To factorize a polynomial is to express the polynomial as a product of
its factors.
(b) Factorization of polynomials is the reverse process of expansion.
Expansion
(a+b)( c+d ) ac +ad +bc +bd
Factorization
Example 1
Factorize 10x3 + 5x
Solution
10x3 + 5x = 5x(2x2 +1)
2. Taking out Factors and Grouping Terms
(a) Taking out common factors
(b) Grouping terms
Example 2
Factorize –5a – 5b
Solution
–5a – 5b = –5(a + b)
Example 3
Factorize cd – c + d2 – d
Solution
cd – c + d2 – d = c(d – 1) + d(d – 1)
= (d – 1)(c + d)
F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note
Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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Follow-up:
Factorize each of the following.
(a) a 3 b2 −b 3 c 2
(b) 3( x− y )−12( x− y )2
(c) ax +bx +a+ b
(d) x 2 − yw+xy−xw
3. Using Identities
(a) The following identities can be used to factorize the polynomials
a2 – b2 (a + b)(a – b)
a2 + 2ab + b2 (a + b)2
a2 – 2ab + b2 (a – b)2
(b) The following identities can be used to factorize the polynomials
a3 – b3 (a – b)( a2 + ab + b2)
a3 + b3 (a + b)( a2 – ab + b2)
Example 4
Factorize (i) 9 x 2 −16 y 2 .
4
(ii) 16 a −36
2 2 2 4
(iii) (4 +ab ) −4 a b
Solution
2 2 2 2
(i) 9 x −16 y =(3 x ) −(4 y )
=(3 x+4 y )(3 x−4 y )
4 4
(ii) 16 a −36=4 (4 a −9)
=4 [(2 a 2 )2 −(3)2 ]
=4 (2 a 2 +3 )(2 a2−3)
F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note
Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2
(iii) (4 +ab ) −4 a b =(4+ ab ) −(2 ab )
=(4 +ab 2 +2 ab2 )(4+ab 2 −2 ab 2 )
=(4 +3 ab 2 )(4−ab 2 )
Example 5
Factorize
2
(i) x +8 x +16
(ii) 25 x 2−30 xy+9 y 2
Solution
2 2 2
(i) x +8 x +16=( x ) +2(4 )( x )+( 4 )
=( x+4 )2
2 2 2 2
(ii) 25 x −30 xy+9 y =(5 x ) −2(5 x )(3 y )+(3 y )
=(5 x−3 y )2
Example 6
3
Factorize 135−40 a .
Solution
3
135−40 a3 = 5(27−8 a )
3 2
= 5[(3 ) −(2 a ) ]
2 2
= 5(3−2 a)[(3 ) +(3)(2 a )+(2 a ) ]
F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note
Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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2
= 5(3−2 a)( 9+6 a+4 a )
Follow-up:
Factorize each of the following.
(a) 4 x 2− y 2
(b) 9 a 6 −b4
(c) 36( m+2 k )2−4 (m−k )2
(d) 75(a +b2 )2 −243(c 2 −d )2
4. Cross-method
This method can be used to factorize quadratic polynomials of the form px2 + qx + r.
e.g. Factorize x2 – 4x + 3.
x +1 + 1 –1 –1
x +3 –3 +3 –3
Using the cross-method to test each possible pair of factors, we have
x2 – 4x +3 = (x –1)(x – 3)
Follow-up:
Factorize
F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note
Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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(a) z 2 +5 z +6
(b) 60 m2 −57 m+ 9
(c) – 4k2 – 10k + 14
(d) 9 x 4 −44 x 2 +32
F. 2 Mathematics Lecture Note
Chapter 7 Factorization of Simple Polynomials
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