ALGEBRA PROJECT

UNIT 9

FACTORING
FACTORING
Lesson 1 Factors and Greatest Common Factors
Lesson 2 Factoring Using the Distributive Property
Lesson 3 Factoring Trinomials: x2 + bx + c
Lesson 4 Factoring Trinomials: ax2 + bx + c
Lesson 5 Factoring Differences of Squares
Lesson 6 Perfect Squares and Factoring
 FACTORS
And
GREATEST COMMON
FACTORS
Example 1 Classify Numbers as Prime or Composite
Example 2 Prime Factorization of a Positive Integer
Example 3 Prime Factorization of a Negative Integer
Example 4 Prime Factorization of a Monomial
Example 5 GCF of a Set of Monomials
Example 6 Use Factors
Factor 22. Then classify it as prime or composite.
To find the factors of 22, list all pairs of whole numbers
whose product is 22.

Answer: Since 22 has more than two factors, it is

a composite number. The factors of 22, in
increasing order, are 1, 2, 11, and 22.
Factor 31. Then classify it as prime or composite.

The only whole numbers that can be multiplied together to

get 31 are 1 and 31.

Answer: The factors of 31 are 1 and 31. Since the

only factors of 31 are 1 and itself, 31 is a
prime number.
Factor each number. Then classify it as prime
or composite.

a. 17
Answer: 1, 17; prime

b. 25
Answer: 1, 5, 25; composite
Find the prime factorization of 84.
Method 1
The least prime factor of 84 is 2.
The least prime factor of 42 is 2.
The least prime factor of 21 is 3.
All of the factors in the last row are prime.
Answer: Thus, the prime factorization of 84 is
Method 2 Use a factor tree.
84
21 4

3 7 2 2 and

All of the factors in the last branch of the factor tree

are prime.
Answer: Thus, the prime factorization of 84 is
or
Find the prime factorization of 60.

Answer: or
Find the prime factorization of –132.

Express –132 as –1 times 132.

/ \
/ \
/ \

Answer: The prime factorization of –132 is

or
Find the prime factorization of –154.

Answer:
Factor completely.

Answer: in factored form is

Factor completely.
Express –26 as –1 times 26.

Answer: in factored form is

Factor each monomial completely.
a.
Answer:

b.
Answer:
Find the GCF of 12 and 18.
Factor each number.
Circle the common prime factors.

The integers 12 and 18 have one 2 and one 3 as common

prime factors. The product of these common prime factors, or
6, is the GCF.
Answer: The GCF of 12 and 18 is 6.
Find the GCF of .
Factor each number.
Circle the common prime factors.

Answer: The GCF of and is .

Find the GCF of each set of monomials.

a. 15 and 35
Answer: 5

b. and
Answer:
Crafts Rene has crocheted 32 squares for an afghan. Each
square is 1 foot square. She is not sure how she will arrange
the squares but does know it will be rectangular and have a
ribbon trim. What is the maximum amount of ribbon she
might need to finish
an afghan?
Find the factors of 32 and draw rectangles with each length and
width. Then find each perimeter.

The factors of 32 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32.

The greatest perimeter is 66 feet. The afghan with this perimeter
has a length of 32 feet and a width of 1 foot.

Answer: The maximum amount of ribbon Rene will need

is 66 feet.
Mary wants to plant a rectangular flower
bed in her front yard with a stone border.
The area of the flower bed will be 45
square feet and the stones are one foot
square each. What is the maximum
number of stones that Mary will need to go
around all four sides of the flower bed?

Answer: 92 feet
FACTORING USING THE
DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY
Example 1 Use the Distributive Property
Example 2 Use Grouping
Example 3 Use the Additive Inverse Property
Example 4 Solve an Equation in Factored Form
Example 5 Solve an Equation by Factoring
Use the Distributive Property to factor .
First, find the CGF of 15x and .
Factor each number.
Circle the common prime factors.
GFC:
Write each term as the product of the GCF and its remaining
factors. Then use the Distributive Property
to factor out the GCF.
Rewrite each term using
the GCF.
Simplify remaining factors.
Distributive Property
Answer: The completely factored form of
is
Use the Distributive Property to factor
.
Factor each number.
Circle the common prime factors.

GFC: or

Rewrite each term using the GCF.

Distributive Property
Answer: The factored form of
is
Use the Distributive Property to factor each polynomial.
a.
Answer:

b.
Answer:
Factor

Group terms with

common factors.
Factor the GCF
from each grouping.
Answer: Distributive Property
Factor

Answer:
Factor

Group terms with common factors.

Factor GCF from each grouping.

Answer:
Distributive Property
Factor

Answer:
Solve Then check the solutions.
If , then according to the Zero Product
Property either or
Original equation
or Set each factor equal to zero.
Solve each equation.

Answer: The solution set is

Check Substitute 2 and for x in the original equation.
Solve Then check the solutions.

Answer: {3, –2}

Solve Then check the solutions.
Write the equation so that it is of the form
Original equation
Subtract from each side.
Factor the GCF of 4y and
which is 4y.
or Zero Product Property

Solve each equation.

Answer: The solution set is Check by substituting
0 and for y in the original equation.
Solve

Answer:
FACTORING TRINOMIALS

X + bX + c
2
Example 1 b and c Are Positive
Example 2 b Is Negative and c Is Positive
Example 3 b Is Positive and c Is Negative
Example 4 b Is Negative and c Is Negative
Example 5 Solve an Equation by Factoring
Example 6 Solve a Real-World Problem by Factoring
Factor
In this trinomial, and You need to find the two
numbers whose sum is 7 and whose product is 12. Make an
organized list of the factors of 12, and look for the pair of
factors whose sum is 7.
Factors of 12 Sum of Factors
1, 12 13
2, 6 8
3, 4 7 The correct factors are 3
and 4.
Write the pattern.
Answer: and
Check You can check the result by multiplying the
two factors.
F O I L
FOIL method
Simplify.
Factor

Answer:
Factor
In this trinomial, and This means is negative
and mn is positive. So m and n must both be negative.
Therefore, make a list of the negative factors of 27, and look
for the pair whose sum is –12.
Factors of 27 Sum of Factors
–1, –27 –28
–3, –9 –12 The correct factors are –3
and –9.
Write the pattern.
Answer: and
Check You can check this result by using a graphing
calculator. Graph and
on the same screen. Since only one graph appears, the two
graphs must coincide. Therefore, the trinomial has been
factored correctly.
Factor

Answer:
Factor
In this trinomial, and This means is
positive and mn is negative, so either m or n is negative, but
not both. Therefore, make a list of the factors of –18 where one
factor of each pair is negative. Look for the pair of factors
whose sum is 3.
Factors of –18 Sum of Factors
1, –18 –17
–1, 18 17
2, –9 – 7
–2, 9 7
3, –6 – 3 The correct factors
–3, 6 3 are –3 and 6.
 Write the pattern.

Answer: and
Factor

Answer:
Factor
Since and is negative and mn is
negative. So either m or n is negative, but not both.
Factors of –20 Sum of Factors
1, –20 –19
–1, 20 19
2, –10 – 8
–2, 10 8
4, –5 – 1 The correct factors are 4
–4, 5 1 and –5.
 Write the pattern.
Answer: and
Factor

Answer:
Solve Check your solutions.
Original equation

Rewrite the equation so that

one side equals 0.

Factor.

or Zero Product Property

Solve each equation.

Answer: The solution is

Check Substitute –5 and 3 for x in the original equation.
Solve Check your solutions.

Answer:
Architecture Marion has a small art studio measuring 10
feet by 12 feet in her backyard. She wants to build a new
studio that has three times the area of the old studio by
increasing the length and width by the same amount. What
will be the dimensions of the new studio?

Explore Begin by making

a diagram like the one
shown to the right, labeling
the appropriate dimensions.
Plan Let the amount added to each dimension of
the studio.
The new length times the new width equals the new area.

old area
Solve Write the equation.
Multiply.
Subtract 360 from
each side.
 Factor.
or Zero Product
Property
Solve each equation.

Examine The solution set is Only 8 is a valid

solution, since dimensions cannot be negative.

Answer: The length of the new studio should be

or 20 feet and the new width should be
or 18 feet.
Photography Adina has a photograph. She wants to
enlarge the photograph by increasing the length and width
by the same amount. What dimensions of the enlarged
photograph will be twice the area of the original
photograph?
Answer:
FACTORING TRINOMIALS

aX + bX + c
2
Example 1 Factor ax2 + bx + c
Example 2 Factor When a, b, and c Have a
Common Factor
Example 3 Determine Whether a Polynomial Is Prime
Example 4 Solve Equations by Factoring
Example 5 Solve Real-World Problems by Factoring
Factor
In this trinomial, and You need to find
two numbers whose sum is 27 and whose product is
or 50. Make an organized list of factors of 50 and look for
the pair of factors whose sum is 27.
Factors of 50 Sum of Factors
1, 50 51
2, 25 27 The correct factors are 2
and 25.
 Write the pattern.
and
Group terms with
common factors.
Factor the GCF from
each grouping.
Answer: Distributive Property

Check You can check this result by multiplying the two factors.
F O I L
FOIL method
Simplify.
Factor

Answer:
Factor
In this trinomial, and Since b is
negative, is negative. Since c is positive, mn is positive.
So m and n must both be negative. Therefore, make a list of the
negative factors of or 72, and look for the pair
of factors whose sum is –22.
Factors of 72 Sum of Factors
–1, –72 –73
–2, –36 –38 The correct factors are –4,
–4, –24 –27 –18.
–4, –18 –22
 Write the pattern.

and

Group terms with

common factors.

Factor the GCF from

each grouping.

Answer: Distributive Property

a. Factor
Answer:

b. Factor
Answer:
Factor
Notice that the GCF of the terms , and 32 is 4.
When the GCF of the terms of a trinomial is an integer other
than 1, you should first factor out this GCF.
Distributive Property
Now factor Since the lead coefficient is 1, find the
two factors of 8 whose sum is 6.
Factors of 8 Sum of Factors
The correct factors are 2
1, 8 9
and 4.
2, 4 6
Answer: So, Thus, the
complete factorization of is
Factor
Answer:
Factor
In this trinomial, and Since b is positive,
is positive. Since c is negative, mn is negative,
so either m or n is negative, but not both. Therefore, make a list
of all the factors of 3(–5) or –15, where one factor in each pair
is negative. Look for the pair of factors whose sum is 7.

Factors of –15 Sum of Factors

–1, 15 14
1, –15 –14
–3, 5 2
3, –5 –2
There are no factors whose sum is 7. Therefore,
cannot be factored using integers.

Answer: is a prime polynomial.

Factor

Answer: prime
Solve
Original equation
Rewrite so one side equals 0.
Factor the left side.
or Zero Product Property
Solve each equation.

Answer: The solution set is

Solve

Answer:
Model Rockets Ms. Nguyen’s science class built an air-
launched model rocket for a competition. When they test-
launched their rocket outside the classroom, the rocket
landed in a nearby tree. If the launch pad was 2 feet above
the ground, the initial velocity of the rocket was 64 feet per
second, and the rocket landed 30 feet above the ground, how
long was the rocket in flight? Use the equation
 Vertical motion model

Subtract 30 from each side.

Factor out –4.
Divide each side by –4.
Factor
or Zero Product Property
Solve each equation.
The solutions are and seconds. The first time
represents how long it takes the rocket to reach a height of
30 feet on its way up. The second time represents how
long it will take for the rocket to reach the height of 30 feet
again on its way down. Thus the rocket will be in flight for
3.5 seconds before coming down again.

Answer: 3.5 seconds

When Mario jumps over a hurdle, his feet leave the ground
traveling at an initial upward velocity of 12 feet per second.
Find the time t in seconds it takes for Mario’s feet to reach
the ground again. Use the equation

Answer: second
FACTORING DIFFERENCE
OF SQUARES
Example 1 Factor the Difference of Squares
Example 2 Factor Out a Common Factor
Example 3 Apply a Factoring Technique More
Than Once
Example 4 Apply Several Different Factoring Techniques
Example 5 Solve Equations by Factoring
Example 6 Use Differences of Two Squares
Factor .

Write in form

Answer: Factor the difference

of squares.
Factor .

and

Answer: Factor the difference

of squares.
Factor each binomial.
a.
Answer:

b.
Answer:
Factor
The GCF of and 27b is 3b.

and
Answer: Factor the difference
of squares.
Factor
Answer:
Factor
The GCF of
and 2500 is 4.
and

Factor the difference of

squares.
and

Answer: Factor the difference of

squares.
Factor

Answer:
Factor
Original Polynomial
Factor out the GCF.
Group terms with
common factors.
Factor each grouping.
is the
common factor.
Answer: Factor the difference
of squares,
into .
Factor
Answer:
Solve by factoring. Check your solutions.

Original equation.

and

Factor the difference of squares.

or Zero Product Property

Solve each equation.

Answer: The solution set is

Check each solution in the original equation.

Solve by factoring. Check your solutions.

Original equation

Subtract 3y from each side.

The GCF of and 3y is 3y.

and
Applying the Zero Product Property, set each factor equal to
zero and solve the resulting three equations.

or or

Answer: The solution set is

Check each solution in the original equation.
Solve each equation by factoring. Check your solutions.
a.
Answer:

b.

Answer:
Extended-Response Test Item
A square with side length x is cut from a right triangle
shown below.
a. Write an equation in terms of x that
represents the area A of the figure
after the corner is removed.

b. What value of x will result in a figure

that is the area of the original

triangle? Show how you arrived at

your answer.
Read the Test Item
A is the area of the triangle minus the area of the square that is to
be removed.
Solve the Test Item
a. The area of the triangle is or 64 square units and
the area of the square is square units.
Answer:
b. Find x so that A is the area of the original triangle,

Translate the verbal statement.

 and

Simplify.
Subtract 48 from each side.
Simplify.
Factor the difference of squares.
or Zero Product Property
Solve each equation.
Answer: Since length cannot be negative, the only
reasonable solution is 4.
Extended-Response Test Item
A square with side length x is cut from the larger square
shown below.
a. Write an equation in terms of x that
represents the area A of the figure
after the corner is removed.
Answer:
b. What value of x will result in a figure

that is of the area of the

original square?
Answer: 3
PERFECT SQUARES
and
FACTORING
Example 1 Factor Perfect Square Trinomials
Example 2 Factor Completely
Example 3 Solve Equations with Repeated Factors
Example 4 Use the Square Root Property to
Solve Equations
Determine whether is a perfect square
trinomial. If so, factor it.
1. Is the first term a perfect square? Yes,
2. Is the last term a perfect square? Yes,
3. Is the middle term equal to ? Yes,

Answer: is a perfect square trinomial.

Write as
Factor using the pattern.
Determine whether is a perfect
square trinomial. If so, factor it.
1. Is the first term a perfect square? Yes,
2. Is the last term a perfect square? Yes,
3. Is the middle term equal to ? No,

Answer: is not a perfect square trinomial.

Determine whether each trinomial is a perfect square
trinomial. If so, factor it.

a.
Answer: not a perfect square trinomial

b.

Answer: yes;
Factor .
First check for a GCF. Then, since the polynomial has two
terms, check for the difference of squares.
6 is the GCF.
and
Answer: Factor the difference
of squares.
Factor .

This polynomial has three terms that have a GCF of 1. While

the first term is a perfect square,
the last term is not. Therefore, this is not a perfect
square trinomial.

This trinomial is in the form Are there two

numbers m and n whose product is
and whose sum is 8? Yes, the product of 20 and –12 is
–240 and their sum is 8.
 Write the pattern.

and

Group terms with

common factors.
Factor out the GCF
from each grouping.
Answer: is the
common factor.
Factor each polynomial.

a.
Answer:

b.
Answer:
Solve
Original equation
Recognize
as a perfect square trinomial.
Factor the perfect
square trinomial.
Set the repeated factor equal
to zero.
Solve for x.

Answer: Thus, the solution set is Check this

solution in the original equation.

Solve

Answer:
Solve .
Original equation
Square Root Property

Add 7 to each side.

or Separate into two equations.

Simplify.

Answer: The solution set is Check each

solution in the original equation.
Solve .
Original equation
Recognize perfect
square trinomial.
Factor perfect
square trinomial.
Square Root Property

Subtract 6 from each side.

 or Separate into two equations.

Simplify.

Answer: The solution set is Check this

solution in the original equation.
Solve .
Original equation
Square Root Property
Subtract 9 from each side.
Answer: Since 8 is not a perfect square, the solution set is
Using a calculator, the approximate

solutions are or about –6.17 and

or about –11.83.
Check You can check your answer using a graphing calculator.
Graph and Using the INTERSECT
feature of your graphing calculator, find where The
check of –6.17 as one of the approximate solutions is shown.
Solve each equation. Check your solutions.

a.
Answer:

Answer:
c.

Answer:
THIS IS THE END
OF THE SESSION
BYE!