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x(a + b) = ax + bx
Doing this produces a common factor in each term. In the above case that
common factor is x.
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We can use this fact to help us factor polynomials that have a common factor in
all of their terms.
For example, the terms in the polynomial: 12a 2 +16a have a common factor, this
common factor is 4a (it is the GCF).
We can check our answer by simply using the distributive property to multiply.
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Example: Factor 18cd 2 +12c 2 d + 9cd
1. The GCF of all the terms is 3cd , so divide all of the terms by 3cd
2. 3cd(6d
€ + 4c + 3)
3. Check by multiplying: 3cd(6d + 4c + 3) = 18cd 2 +12c 2 d + 9cd , this is correct.
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Using Grouping to Factor
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Sometimes all of the terms in a polynomial do not have a GCF, but pairs of terms
do. When this is the case we can use grouping to factor.
Notice that all of the terms do not have a GCF, but the first two and the last two
terms do. We € can group them in the following way:
(4ab + 8b) + (3a + 6) We can now factor each binomial separately:
4b(a + 2) + 3(a + 2) Now notice that each has a factor of (a + 2) , factor again:
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(a + 2)(4b + 3) Done.
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Example: Factor 6x 2 −15x − 8x + 20
We can group this polynomial like this: (6x 2 −15x) + (−8x + 20)
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Factor each binomial: 3x(2x − 5) + −4(2x − 5)
Notice that I factored a -4 out of the second binomial instead
of a€4, why? So the resulting binomial would match the first one.
(2x − 5)(3x − 4)
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Check the answer by multiplying using the FOIL method:
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2x(3x) − 2x(4) − 5(3x) + 5(4) = 6x 2 − 8x −15x + 20 , this is correct!
F O I L
Example: Factor rs + 5s − r − 5
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We can group this polynomial like this: (rs − r) + (5s − 5) {I rearranged the terms}
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Now factor each binomial: r(s −1) + 5(s −1)
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Example: Factor c − 2cd + 8d − 4
The Zero Product Property states that if two things multiply to get zero, one or
both of them MUST be equal to zero.
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Example: Solve the equation (d − 5)(3d + 4) = 0
Because of the Zero Product Property (ZPP) we can say one of two things:
1. d − 5 = 0
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2. 3d + 4 = 0
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In order to use the ZPP, weʼll have to set one side of the equation to zero:
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x 2 − 7x = 0
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