Chapter 1: Revision on Factorization
This document explains the various factorization techniques and related concepts
demonstrated in your class notes. Understanding these methods is crucial for
simplifying expressions, solving equations, and working with more advanced algebraic
topics.
1. Simplifying Rational Expressions and Differentiation
Concept: This section demonstrates simplifying a rational expression by factoring the
numerator and then finding its derivative.
Example from notes:
y = (x^2 - 1) / (x + 1)
Explanation:
1. Factor the numerator: The expression x^2 - 1 is a difference of squares. The
general formula for a difference of squares is a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) . In this case, a = x
and b = 1 .
So, x^2 - 1 = (x - 1)(x + 1) .
1. Simplify the expression: Substitute the factored form back into the original
equation:
y = [(x - 1)(x + 1)] / (x + 1)
Since (x + 1) appears in both the numerator and the denominator, and
assuming x ≠ -1 (to avoid division by zero), you can cancel out the (x + 1) terms.
This simplifies to y = x - 1 .
2. Find the derivative (dy/dx): The derivative of y = x - 1 with respect to x is found
using basic differentiation rules:
◦ The derivative of x is 1 .
◦ The derivative of a constant ( -1 ) is 0 . Therefore, dy/dx = 1 .
How to apply this idea:
* Identify difference of squares: Look for expressions in the form a^2 - b^2 . This is a
common pattern for simplification.
* Factor and simplify: Factor both the numerator and denominator of rational
expressions to identify common factors that can be cancelled.
* Apply differentiation rules: Once simplified, apply the appropriate differentiation
rules (power rule, constant rule, etc.) to find the derivative.
2. Factoring Quadratic Expressions (Trinomials and
Binomials)
Concept: This section covers various techniques for factoring quadratic expressions,
which are polynomials of degree 2 (e.g., ax^2 + bx + c ).
a) Factoring out a Common Factor and then Factoring a Trinomial
Example from notes:
2x^2 + 10x + 12
Explanation:
1. Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF): Look for a number or variable that divides
into all terms of the polynomial. In 2x^2 + 10x + 12 , the GCF is 2 .
1. Factor out the GCF: Divide each term by the GCF and write the GCF outside
parentheses:
2(x^2 + 5x + 6)
2. Factor the remaining trinomial: Now, factor the quadratic expression inside the
parentheses, x^2 + 5x + 6 . For a trinomial in the form x^2 + bx + c , you need to
find two numbers that:
◦ Multiply to c (the constant term, which is 6 )
◦ Add up to b (the coefficient of the x term, which is 5 ) The numbers 2 and
3 satisfy these conditions ( 2 * 3 = 6 and 2 + 3 = 5 ).
3. Write the factored form:
2(x + 2)(x + 3)
How to apply this idea:
* Always check for a GCF first. Factoring it out simplifies the remaining expression and
makes subsequent factoring easier.
* For x^2 + bx + c , find two numbers that multiply to c and add to b .
b) Factoring a Difference of Squares with a Common Factor
Example from notes:
3x^2 - 12
Explanation:
1. Find the GCF: The GCF of 3x^2 and 12 is 3 .
1. Factor out the GCF:
3(x^2 - 4)
2. Factor the remaining binomial: The expression x^2 - 4 is a difference of squares
( x^2 - 2^2 ).
Using the formula a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) , where a = x and b = 2 :
x^2 - 4 = (x - 2)(x + 2)
3. Write the final factored form:
3(x - 2)(x + 2)
How to apply this idea:
* Always look for a GCF first.
* After factoring out the GCF, check if the remaining expression is a difference of
squares.
c) Factoring Trinomials where the Leading Coefficient is Not 1 (ax^2 +
bx + c, where a ≠ 1)
Concept: This is often referred to as the
AC Method" or "Grouping Method".
Example from notes:
3x^2 + 7x + 2
Explanation (AC Method/Grouping Method):
1. Multiply 'a' and 'c': In the general form ax^2 + bx + c , multiply the coefficient of
x^2 ( a ) by the constant term ( c ).
Here, a = 3 and c = 2 , so a * c = 3 * 2 = 6 .
1. Find two numbers: Find two numbers that:
◦ Multiply to a * c (which is 6 )
◦ Add up to b (the coefficient of the x term, which is 7 ) The numbers 1 and
6 satisfy these conditions ( 1 * 6 = 6 and 1 + 6 = 7 ).
2. Rewrite the middle term: Rewrite the middle term ( 7x ) using the two numbers
found in step 2 ( 1x and 6x ).
3x^2 + 1x + 6x + 2
3. Group the terms: Group the first two terms and the last two terms.
(3x^2 + 1x) + (6x + 2)
4. Factor out the GCF from each group:
◦ From (3x^2 + 1x) , the GCF is x . Factoring it out gives x(3x + 1) .
◦ From (6x + 2) , the GCF is 2 . Factoring it out gives 2(3x + 1) . So, the
expression becomes x(3x + 1) + 2(3x + 1) .
5. Factor out the common binomial: Notice that (3x + 1) is common to both terms.
Factor it out.
(3x + 1)(x + 2)
How to apply this idea:
* This method is effective when the leading coefficient a is not 1 .
* Remember the steps: multiply a*c , find two numbers, rewrite the middle term,
group, and factor.
Another Example from notes:
2x^2 + 11x + 5
Explanation (AC Method/Grouping Method):
1. Multiply 'a' and 'c': a = 2 , c = 5 , so a * c = 2 * 5 = 10 .
1. Find two numbers: Find two numbers that multiply to 10 and add up to 11 .
The numbers 1 and 10 satisfy these conditions ( 1 * 10 = 10 and 1 + 10 = 11 ).
2. Rewrite the middle term:
2x^2 + 1x + 10x + 5
3. Group the terms:
(2x^2 + 1x) + (10x + 5)
4. Factor out the GCF from each group:
◦ From (2x^2 + 1x) , the GCF is x . Factoring it out gives x(2x + 1) .
◦ From (10x + 5) , the GCF is 5 . Factoring it out gives 5(2x + 1) . So, the
expression becomes x(2x + 1) + 5(2x + 1) .
5. Factor out the common binomial:
(2x + 1)(x + 5)
d) Factoring Trinomials with a Leading Coefficient and Fractions
(Alternative Method)
Concept: The notes show an alternative method for factoring trinomials where the
leading coefficient is not 1, which involves dividing by the leading coefficient and then
simplifying the fractions.
Example from notes:
4x^2 - 9x + 2
Explanation (Alternative Method):
1. Multiply 'a' and 'c': a = 4 , c = 2 , so a * c = 4 * 2 = 8 .
1. Find two numbers: Find two numbers that multiply to 8 and add up to -9 .
The numbers -1 and -8 satisfy these conditions ( -1 * -8 = 8 and -1 + -8 = -9 ).
2. Form binomials with 'x' and these numbers, divided by 'a':
(x - 1/4)(x - 8/4)
3. Simplify the fractions:
(x - 1/4)(x - 2)
4. Move the denominator to the front of 'x' if it doesn't simplify: For (x - 1/4) , the
4 moves to become the coefficient of x .
(4x - 1)(x - 2)
How to apply this idea:
* This method can be quicker for some, but requires careful handling of fractions.
* If a fraction simplifies to an integer, do so. If not, move the denominator to become
the coefficient of x in that binomial.
Another Example from notes:
5x^2 - 16x + 3
Explanation (Alternative Method):
1. Multiply 'a' and 'c': a = 5 , c = 3 , so a * c = 5 * 3 = 15 .
1. Find two numbers: Find two numbers that multiply to 15 and add up to -16 .
The numbers -1 and -15 satisfy these conditions ( -1 * -15 = 15 and -1 + -15 =
-16 ).
2. Form binomials with 'x' and these numbers, divided by 'a':
(x - 1/5)(x - 15/5)
3. Simplify the fractions:
(x - 1/5)(x - 3)
4. Move the denominator to the front of 'x' if it doesn't simplify:
(5x - 1)(x - 3)
Another Example from notes:
2x^2 - 9x + 9
Explanation (Alternative Method):
1. Multiply 'a' and 'c': a = 2 , c = 9 , so a * c = 2 * 9 = 18 .
1. Find two numbers: Find two numbers that multiply to 18 and add up to -9 .
The numbers -3 and -6 satisfy these conditions ( -3 * -6 = 18 and -3 + -6 = -9 ).
2. Form binomials with 'x' and these numbers, divided by 'a':
(x - 3/2)(x - 6/2)
3. Simplify the fractions:
(x - 3/2)(x - 3)
4. Move the denominator to the front of 'x' if it doesn't simplify:
(2x - 3)(x - 3)
e) Factoring Trinomials with a Leading Coefficient and Fractions
(Another Example)
Example from notes:
6x^2 + x - 1
Explanation (Alternative Method):
1. Multiply 'a' and 'c': a = 6 , c = -1 , so a * c = 6 * -1 = -6 .
1. Find two numbers: Find two numbers that multiply to -6 and add up to 1 (the
coefficient of x ).
The numbers 3 and -2 satisfy these conditions ( 3 * -2 = -6 and 3 + -2 = 1 ).
2. Form binomials with 'x' and these numbers, divided by 'a':
(x + 3/6)(x - 2/6)
3. Simplify the fractions:
(x + 1/2)(x - 1/3)
4. Move the denominators to the front of 'x':
(2x + 1)(3x - 1)
Note: The notes show (x - 2/6)(x - 3/6) which simplifies to (x - 1/3)(x - 1/2) . This would
lead to (3x - 1)(2x - 1) . However, the final answer in the notes is (3x - 1)(2x + 1) . This
indicates a potential sign error in the notes' intermediate step or a different approach.
My explanation follows the standard alternative method to arrive at the correct
factorization for 6x^2 + x - 1 .
3. Exponent Rules and Radicals
Concept: This section reviews the relationship between radicals and fractional
exponents.
Examples from notes:
* √x = x^(1/2)
* ³√x² = x^(2/3)
* ⁵√x³ = x^(3/5)
Explanation:
* General Rule: For any positive real number x and integers m and n where n > 0 :
ⁿ√xᵐ = x^(m/n)
* The root (the n in ⁿ√ ) becomes the denominator of the fractional exponent.
* The power (the m in xᵐ ) becomes the numerator of the fractional exponent.
How to apply this idea:
* Converting from radical to fractional exponent: Identify the root and the power,
then write them as a fraction (power/root) in the exponent.
* Converting from fractional exponent to radical: The numerator is the power, and
the denominator is the root.
4. Exponential Equations
Concept: This section shows an example of solving an exponential equation by making
the bases the same.
Example from notes:
2^x * 2^1 = 2^(x+1)
Explanation:
1. Product Rule of Exponents: When multiplying exponents with the same base, you
add the powers.
The rule is a^m * a^n = a^(m+n) .
1. Applying the rule: In the example, a = 2 , m = x , and n = 1 . So, 2^x * 2^1 =
2^(x+1) .
How to apply this idea:
* Simplify expressions: Use exponent rules to simplify expressions involving
multiplication or division of terms with the same base.
* Solve exponential equations: To solve equations where the variable is in the
exponent, try to express both sides of the equation with the same base. Once the bases
are the same, you can equate the exponents and solve for the variable.
This concludes the explanation of the concepts found in your class notes. Review these
rules and practice with more examples to solidify your understanding. If you have any
specific problems you'd like to work through, feel free to ask!
