FACTORIZATION
KEYNOTES
Factors of Natural Numbers
Factors are the pair of natural numbers which give the resultant number.
Example
24 = 12 × 2 = 6 × 4 = 8 × 3 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 = 24 × 1
Hence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 are the factors of 24.
Prime Factor Form
If we write the factors of a number in such a way that all the factors are prime
numbers then it is said to be a prime factor form.
Example
The prime factor form of 24 is
24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3
Factors of Algebraic Expressions
Like any natural number, an algebraic expression is also the product of its factors.
In the case of algebraic expression, it is said to be an irreducible form instead of
prime factor form.
The number 1 is a factor of every algebraic term also, but it is shown
only when needed.
Example
i. 5pq = 5 × p × q =5p × q = 5q × p = 5 × pq
These are the factors of 5pq but the irreducible form of it is
5pq = 5 × p × q
ii. 2x (5 + x)
Here, the irreducible factors are
2x (5 + x) = 2 × x × (5 + x)
Factorisation
Factorisation means to write an expression as a product of' its factors.
The factors of an algebraic expression could be anything like numbers, variables and
expressions.
Methods of Factorisation
Method of Common Factorisation by Factorisation Using
Factors Regrouping Terms Identities
I. Method of Common Factors
A factor which occurs in each term is called ‘common factor’.
Example: 5y + 10
=5xy+2x5
= 5 x (y + 2)
= 5(y + 2 )
II. Factorisation by regrouping terms
In some algebraic expressions, it is not possible that every term has a common factor.
Therefore, to factorise those algebraic expressions, terms having common factors
are grouped together.
Step I: Make the groups of the terms.
Step II: Choose the common factor among these groups.
Step III: Find the common binomial factor and it will give the required
factors.
Example: 12a + n – na – 12
= 12a - 12 + n - na (Regrouping)
= 12(a - 1) - n(a - 1) (Choosing common factors)
= (a - 1) (12 - n)
III. Factorisation using Algebraic Identities
Algebraic identities can be used for factorization.
Recapitulation
Algebraic identities
The algebraic equations which are true for all values of variables in them are called
algebraic identities.
Algebraic identities are,
I. (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
II. (a - b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2
III. (a + b) (a - b) = a2 – b2
IV. x2 + (a + b)x + ab = (x + a) (x + b)
Observe the given expression and if we get RHS of one of the identities then the
expression corresponding to the LHS of the identity gives the desired factorization.
Example 1
Factorize 9x² - 24xy + 16y².
Solution
Step I: Write the first and last terms as squares.
Step II: Factorise the middle term.
Step III: Check it with the identities
9x² - 24xy + 16y²
= (3x)2 – 24xy + (4y)2
= (3x)2 – 2(3x) (4y) + (4y)2
= (3x – 4y)2
= (3x – 4y) (3x – 4y)
Example 2
Factorise x2 + 10x + 25
Solution
x2 + 10x + 25
= (x)2 + 2(5) (x) + (5)2 {Using the identity I
(a + b) 2 = a2 + 2ab + b2}
= x2 + 10x + 25
= (x + 5)2
= (x + 5) (x + 5)
Example 3
Factorise 9x2 – 16y2.
Solution
9x2 – 16y2
= (3x)2 – (4y)2
= (3x – 4y) (3x + 4y) {Using the identity III
(a + b)(a – b) = a2 – b2}
Middle Term Splitting Method (based on Identity IV)
Example 4
Factorise x2 + 3x + 2.
Solution
x2 + 3x + 2 *
Here, a = 1, b = 3, c = 2
ac = (1)(2) = 2 {1, 2} 1 + 2 = 3 = b
{-1, -2} -1 -2 = -3
*x2 + x + 2x + 2
= x(x + 1) + 2(x + 1)
= (x + 1) (x + 2)
When factorisation of x2 + (a + b)x + ab is done by splitting the middle
term, the two numbers which give the product ab and (a + b) as the
coefficient of x have to be chosen very carefully with correct sign.
Division of Algebraic Expressions
Division is the inverse operation of multiplication.
Divide a monomial by another monomial
I. Write the expression in rational form.
II. Cancel out the common factors.
III. The balance is the answer to the division.
Example
Solve: 54y3 ÷ 9y
Solution
54y3 ÷ 9y
𝟓𝟒𝐲 𝟑
= 𝟗𝐲
= 6y3-1
= 6y2
Divide a polynomial by a monomial
I. Write the expression in rational form.
II. Write the irreducible form of the polynomial and monomial both.
III. Take out the common factor from the polynomial.
IV. Cancel out the common factor if possible.
V. The balance will be the required answer.
Example
Solve: 4a3 + 2a2 + 2a ÷ 2a.
Solution
4a3 + 2a2 + 2a ÷ 2a
𝟒𝐚𝟑 + 𝟐𝐚𝟐 + 𝟐𝐚
= 𝟐𝐚
𝟐𝐚(𝟐𝐚𝟐 + 𝐚 + 𝟏)
=
𝟐𝐚
2
= 2a + a + 1
Divide a polynomial by a polynomial
I. In the case of polynomials, we need to reduce them and find their factors by
using identities or by finding common terms or any other form of factorization.
II. Cancel out the common factors and the remainder will be the required answer.
Example
Solve: z (5z2 – 80) ÷ 5z (z + 4)
Solution
z (5z2 – 80) ÷ 5z (z + 4)
z(5z2 −80)
= 5z(z+4)
z x 5(z2 − 16)
=
5z(z+4)
[z −(4)2 ]
2
= {Using Identity III
(z+4)
x 2 – y2 = (x + y)(x – y)}
(z+4)(z−4)
=
(z+4)
= (z – 4)
Some Common Errors
1. While adding the terms with same variable, we may leave the term with no
coefficient but the variable with no coefficient means 1.
Example
2x + x + 3 = 3x + 3
≠ 2x + 3 (ERROR)
We will consider x as 1x while adding the like terms.
2. If we multiply the expressions enclosed in the bracket then remember to
multiply all the terms.
Example
2(3y + 9) = 6y + 18
≠ 6y + 9 (ERROR)
We have to multiply both the terms with the constant.
3. If we are substituting any negative value for the variables then remember to
use the brackets otherwise it will change the operation and the answer too.
Example
If x = – 5
Then 2x = 2(-5) = -10
Not, 2 – 5 = - 3 (ERROR)
4. While squaring of the monomial, remember to square both the number and the
variable.
Example
(4x)2 = 16x2
≠ 4x2 (ERROR)
We have to square both the numerical coefficient and the variable.
5. While squaring a binomial always use the correct formulas.
Example
(2x + 3)2 ≠ 4x2 + 9 (ERROR)
But (2x + 3) = (2x) + 2(2x)(3) + (3)2
2 2
= 4x2 + 12x + 9
6. While dividing a polynomial by a monomial remember to divide each term of
the polynomial in the numerator by the monomial in the denominator.
Example
𝐱+𝟓 𝐱
= +1
𝟓 𝟓
≠x+1 (ERROR)