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MATHEMATICS 8
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Factoring Polynomials

Self-Learning Module
 FACTORS
2 OF POLYNOMIALS

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

This module is about understanding of key concepts of factors of polynomials. You will learn
the different techniques in factoring the different types of polynomials such as general trinomial and
sum and difference of two cubes. As you go over the different activities you will apply your knowledge
and skills related to factors of polynomials in formulating and solving real- life problems.

This module has 3 lessons:

Lesson 1: Factoring general trinomials

Lesson 2: Factoring the sum and difference of two cubes
Lesson 3: Solving problems involving factors of polynomials

OBJECTIVES

After using this module, you are expected to learn:

1. factor completely the sum and difference of two cubes and general trinomials
2. determine the process in factoring sum and difference of two cubes and general
trinomials
3. solve problems involving factors of polynomials
4. show appreciation in factoring and solving problems

LEARNING COMPETENCIES

▪ Factors completely different types of polynomials (polynomials with common monomial

factor, difference of two squares, sum and difference of two cubes, perfect square
trinomials, and general trinomials). (M8AL-Ia-b-1)
▪ Solves problems involving factors of polynomials. (M8AL-Ib-2)

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 WHAT I KNOW

Directions: Read each item carefully. Encircle the letter of your answer.

1. What is the factored form of m2 + 4m + 3?

A. (m + 1)(m + 3)
B. (m - 1)(m - 3)
C. (m – 1)(m +3)
D. ( m + 1)(m - 3)

2. What will you multiply to (x – 2) to have a product of difference of 2 cubes?

A. x2 – 4
B. x2 + 2x + 4
C. x2 – 2x + 4
D. x2 + 4x + 4

3. Which factoring technique will be used to factor m2 + 12m + 11?

A. Factoring the general trinomial
[Link] the difference of two squares
C. Factoring the sum of two cubes
D. Factoring the perfect square trinomial

4. The area of the rectangular lot is ( c2 - 5c + 4 ). What are its dimensions?

A. (c – 1) (c – 4)
B. (c – 1) (c + 4 )
C. (c + 2) (c – 2)
D. (c + 2) (c +2)

5. The area of a rectangular wall is (𝑛2 − 16)m2 and its width is (𝑛 − 4)m. What is its length?
A. n – 4
B. n + 4
C. n – 8
D. n + 16

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 LESSON 1
Factoring the General Trinomial

WHAT’S IN

Activity 1.
A. Multiply.

1. ( x + 2) (x + 3) 2. ( c - 1) (c + 5)

WHAT’S NEW

Activity 2.
Study the geometrical model below illustrating the product of two binomials
(x +4) and (x + 3).Answer the questions below.

Questions:

1. What is the area of the red square?

2. What is the area if the green rectangle?
3. What is the area of the blue rectangle?
4. What is the area of the gray rectangle?
5. Find the sum of the area of the 4 figures and simplify.
6. What is the product of (x + 4) and (x + 3)?

General Trinomials are the results of multiplying two binomial factors.

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 WHAT IS IT

Study the table below.

General Trinomial
FACTORS F O I L First Middle Last Factors Product Sum
Term Term Term
(m + 2)(m + 5) m2 + 5m + 2m + 10 m2 + 7m + 10 5,2 10 7
2
(c – 3)(c – 7) c - 7c - 3c + 21 c2 - 10c + 21 -7, -3 21 -10
(w + 6)(w – 1) w2 - m + 6m - 6 w2 + 5w - 6 6, -1 -6 5
2
(x – 4)(x + 2) x + 2x - 4x - 8 x2 - 2x - 8 -4, 2 -8 -2

What have you observed about the terms of the general trinomial? Are the yrelated to the
terms of their binomial factors? Notice that the constant term is the product of the last terms of the
factors, and the numerical coefficient of the middle term, the sum of the last terms of the factors.

To factor the general trinomial x2 + bx +c , think of the reverse of the FOIL Method.

Example 1.

Factor k2 + 5k + 4
Solution:

a) Factor the first term of the trinomial.

The factors of k2 are k • k. These are the first term of the binomial
factors.
b) List all the factors of the last term.
Factors of 4

2 2

1 4

-2 -2

-1 -4

c) Find factors of the last term whose sum is the numerical coefficient of the
middle term.
• 2+2=4
• 1+4=5
• (-2 )+ (-2)= -4
• (-1) + (-4) = -5
d) Thus, the factors of k2 + 5k + 4= ( k+ 1 )(k + 4).

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 Example 2.

Factor b2 + 6b – 7
Solution:
a) Factor the first term of the trinomial.
The factors of b2 are b • b. These are the first term of the binomial
factors.
b) List all the factors of the last term.
Factors of -7

1 -7

-1 7

c) Find factors of the last term whose sum is the numerical coefficient of the
middle term.
• 1 + (-7) = -6
• -1 + 7 = 6
d) Thus, the factors of b2 + 6b - 7 = ( b – 1 )(b + 7).

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Steps in factoring the General Trinomial x2 + bx + c:

1. Factor the leading term of the trinomial and write these factors as the
leading terms of the binomial factors.
2. List down all the factors of the last term.
3. Identify which factor pair sums up to the middle term.
4. Write each factor in the pairs as the last term of the binomial factors.

General Trinomials of this form ax2 + bx + c, where a and b are the numerical
coefficients of the variables and c is the constant term. There are many ways of factoring these
types of polynomials, one of which is by inspection.

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 Trial and error is utilized in factoring this type of trinomials. Here is an example:

Example 3.

Factor: 6x2 + 11x + 3

Solution:

a) List all the factors of the first and last term of the trinomial.
Since the middle and the last term are both positive, hence, the
two binomial factors must be both positive
Factors of 6x2 Factors of 3

6x, x 3,1

2x, 3x

b) Choose from the factors of the first and last term of the trinomial to form a
combination that will give a sum of the middle term of the general trinomial.
Factors of 6x2 will serve as first term of each binomial, while factors of 3
will serve as the last term. Choose from the above factors a combination
that will give a middle term of 11x.

First trial:
(6x + 3) (x + 1) by FOIL method, the middle term is 9x. Hence, 6x
+ 3 and x + 1 are not the factors.
Second trial:
(2x + 1) (3x + 3) by FOIL method, the middle term is 9x. Hence, 2x
+ 1 and 3x + 3 are not the factors.
Third trial:
(2x + 3) (3x + 1) by FOIL method, the middle term is 11x.

Therefore, the factors (2x + 3) and (3x + 1) are the factors of 6x2 + 11x + 3.

Factoring through inspection or trial and error method is a long process; thus, knowing
another way of factoring trinomials would be very helpful in studying this factoring technique.

Another way of factoring general trinomial in the form of ax2 + bx +c is through grouping
method. Closely look at the given steps and compare them with trial and error.

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 Factor: 6x2 + 11x + 3

Solution:
a) Find the product of the leading term and the last term.
(6x2)(3) = 18x2

b) Find the factors of product of the leading term and the last term whose sum
is equal to the middle term of the trinomial.
Factor 18x2 and find the sum of the factors which is 11x.
The factors are 9x and 2x and their sum is 11x.
c) Rewrite the trinomial as a four-term expression by replacing the middle
term with the sum of the factors.
6x2 + 9x + 2x + 3
d) Group terms with common factors.
(6x2 + 9x) + (2x + 3)

e) Factor the groups using greatest common monomial factor.

3x(2x + 3) +(2x +3)

f) Factor out the common binomial factor and write the remaining factor as a
sum or difference of the common monomial factors.
(2x + 3) (3x + 1)

Therefore, the factors (2x + 3) and (3x + 1) are the factors of 6x2 + 11x + 3.

WHAT’S MORE

Activity 3.
Factor each polynomial.

1. v2 –7v + 12 2. h2 – 2h - 15

3. 3m2 – 4m – 20

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 LESSON 2
Factoring the Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

WHAT’S IN

Activity 1.
A. Multiply.
1. ( v + w) (v2 – vw + w2) 2. ( y - 3) (y2 + 3y + 9)

WHAT’S NEW

Activity 2.

Identify if the given expression is a perfect cube or not. Write C if it is a

perfect cube and N for not.
1. b3 ________ 4. 16 a3 ________
2. 125 ________ 5. 27 z3 ________
3. 8 m3 ________ 6. 64 ________

Identifying perfect cubes is important in factoring sum and difference of two

cubes.

In multiplying (a –b)(a2 + ab + b2) = a3 – b3 and (a + b)(a2 - ab + b2) = a3 + b3,

gives us the idea in factoring the sum and difference of two cubes .

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 WHAT IS IT

Here are some examples in factoring the sum and difference of two cubes:

Example 1.

Factor m3 – r3

Solution:

For the binomial factor:

a) Extract the cube root of the first term.
The cube root of m3 is m.
b) Extract the cube root of the second term.
The cube root of r3 is r.
c) Copy the sign of the second term of the given expression to form the binomial
factor.
Since the sign in the given is (-), then (m –r).
For the trinomial factor:
d) Square the first term of the binomial factor.
The first term of the binomial factor is m, then m2.
e) Get the product of the first and last terms of the binomial factor but with the
opposite sign.
The product with opposite sign is +mr.
f) Square the last term of the binomial factor.
The last term of the binomial factor is r, then r2.

Therefore the factors of m3 – r3 are (m – r)( m2 + mr + r2).

Example 2.

Factor h3 + 8

Solution:
h 3 + 8 = h 3 + 23
The binomial factor: (h + 2)
The Trinomial factor: ( h2 – 2h + 22) = ( h2 – 2h + 4 ) .

Therefore the factors of h3 + 8 are (h + 2) ( h2 – 2h + 4 ).

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 Example 3.

Factor 8b3 + 27

Solution:
8b3 + 27 = (23 )(b3) + 33
= (2b)3 + 33

The binomial factor: (2b + 3)

The Trinomial factor: [ (2b)2 – (2b)(3) + 32) = ( 4b2 – 6b + 9 ) .

Therefore the factors of 8b3 + 27are (2b + 3) ( 4b2 – 6b + 9 ) .

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Steps in factoring the sum and difference of two cubes:

For the binomial factor:

a) Extract the cube root of the first term.
b) Extract the cube root of the second term.
c) Copy the sign of the second term of the given expression to form the
binomial factor.
For the trinomial factor:
a) Square the first term of the binomial factor.
b) Get the product of the first and last terms of the binomial factor but
with the opposite sign.
c) Square the last term of the binomial factor.

WHAT’S MORE

Activity 3.
Factor each polynomial.

1. c3 + d3 3. k3 - r3

2. p3 – 64 4. f3 + 73

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 LESSON 3
Solving Problems Involving Factors of Polynomials

WHAT’S IN

Activity 1.
A. Match column A with column B. Write the letter of your answer after before the
number.
A B

____1. y2 – 16 a. (y – 4) (y – 4)
2
_____2. y – 8y + 16 b. (y – 4) (y + 2 )
_____3. y3 – 64
c. (y + 4) (y – 4)
_____4. y2 – 2y – 8
_____5. 3y2 + 10y – 8 d. (y + 4) (y + 4)
_____6. 2y - 8 e. (3y – 2) (y + 4)
f. (y – 4) (y2 + 4y + 16)
g. 2(y – 4)

B. Identify what factoring technique will be used in factoring each polynomial

below. Write the letter of your answer from the box.

A. Factoring the common monomial factor

B. Factoring the perfect square trinomial
C. Factoring the sum and difference of two cubes
D. Factoring the difference of two squares
E. Factoring the general trinomial

______ 1. 3w3 + 15w _____ 3. 25w2 – 81 ______ 5. 5w2 – 13w – 6

______2. w2 – 100 _____4. w2 – 14w + 49 ______ 6. y3 – 1

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 WHAT’S NEW
Activity 2.

Read, analyze and solve the problem below.

Can the difference of two squares be applicable to 3x3 – 12x ? If yes, how? If no, why?

WHAT IS IT

Example 1:

Problem: The length of a floor in the classroom is two more than twice its width. If the area
of the floor is 24 square meters. What are its dimensions?
Solution:
A. Understand the problem
Let w be the width of the floor.
2w + 2 be the length

B. Devise a plan
A = length x width
24 = (2w + 2)w

C. Carry out a plan

24= 2w2 + 2w
0= 2w2 + 2w – 24
0= w2 + w – 12
0= (w - 3)(w + 4) Factor
w–3=0 w+8=0 Equate each factor to 0 and solve for w.
w=3 w = -4

Since the dimensions cannot be negative, the width is 3 meters and the length is 8 meters by
substituting 3 to w in 2w + 2.

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 Example 2.

Problem: A square mirror is surrounded by a 1-inch wide fram If the total area of the mirror
plus frame is 144 square inches , what are the dimensions of the mirror?

s+2 s

s+2

Solution:

A. Understanding the problem:

Let s = the length of each side of the mirror
s + 2= the length of each side of the frame
B. Devise a plan:
Area of a square = s2
144 = (s + 2)2
C. Carry out a plan
(s + 2)2 = 144
2
s + 4s + 4 = 144
2
s + 4s + 4 – 144 = 0
s2 + 4s – 140 = 0
(s + 14)(s – 10) = 0
s + 14 = 0 s – 10=0
s = -14 s = 10

The length of the side cannot be negative, hence we discard s = -14. Hence, the
length of each side of the mirror is 10 inches.

Example 3.

Problem: The volume of a rectangular box is (w3 + 125) cubic inches. (V = lwh).
(1) What is the area of the base of the box in terms of w?
(2) What is the height of the box in terms of w?

Solution:
1.
a)Understanding the problem
V = w3 + 125
b) Devise a plan
Volume = Area of the base x height
c) Carry out a plan
Factor w3 + 125 = (w2 – 5w + 25) (w + 5)
d) Area of the box = (w2 – 5w + 25) square inches

2. Height of the box = (w + 5) inches

3.
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 WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Steps in solving problems involving factors of polynomials (Polya’s Method):

1. Understand the problem.

2. Device a plan.
3. Carry out the plan.
Identify the factoring techniques to be applied in solving the
problem.
4. Check.

WHAT’S MORE

Activity 3.
Read, analyze and solve the problems below.

1. The length of a whiteboard in the classroom is five more than its width. If the area
of the floor is 36 square feet. What are its dimensions?

2. The volume of a rectangular box is (w3 + 216) cubic inches. (V = lwh)

a. What is the area of the base of the box in terms of w?

b. What is the height of the box in terms of w?

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 ASSESSMENT

Directions: Read each item carefully. Encircle the letter of your answer.

1. What is the factored form of m2 + 5m + 6?

A. (m + 2)(m + 3)
B. (m - 2)(m - 3)
C. (m + 1)(m +6)
D. ( m - 1)(m - 6)

2. What will you multiply to (p + 3) to have a product of sum of 2 cubes?

A. p2 – 6p + 9
B. p2 + 6p + 9
C. p2 + 3p + 9
D. p2 - 3p + 9

3. Which factoring technique will be used to factor 5m 2 + 2m -3 ?

A. Factoring the general trinomial
B. Factoring the difference of two squares
C. Factoring the sum of two cubes
D. Factoring the perfect square trinomial

4. The area of a rectangular wall is (𝑥 2 − 64)square meters and its width is (𝑥 − 8)meters.
What is its length?
A. x - 4
B. x - 8
C. x + 8
D. x + 16

5. The length of a whiteboard in the classroom is nine more than its width. If the area of the
floor is 36 square feet. What measure of the length of the whiteboard?
A. 3 ft
B. 6 ft
C. 9 ft
D. 12 ft

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY
Quezon City, Philippines, (2002)
De Leon, M. & Bernabe, J. Elemenentary Algebra Textbook for First Year. JTW Corporation.
Understanding By Design Mathematics 1. Department of Education
Mathematics –Grade 8 Learner’s Module. Department of Education
REFERENCES:
Pre-Test Lesson 2
2. B 4. A What’s In (Activity 1)
2) y3 – 27
Lesson 1 What’s New (Activity 2)
What’s In (Activity 1) 2) C 4) N 6) C
2) c2 + 4c – 5 What’s More (Activity 3)
2) (p – 4 ) (p2+ 4p + 16)
What’s New (Activity 2) 4) (f + 7) (f2 – 7f + 49)
2) 4x
4)12
6) x2+ 7x + 12
What’s More (Activity 3)
2) (h – 5 )(h + 3)
Lesson 3
What’s In (Activity 1)
A. 2) a 4) b 6) g
B. 2) D 4) B 6) C
What’s New (Activity 2)
1. Yes, 3x(x2 – 4), thus, 3x3 – 12x = 3x (x – 2)(x + 2).
What’s More (Activity 3)
2) a) (w2- 6w + 36) b) w + 6
Assessment
2. D 4. C
Answer Key
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Division of Mandaue City
Plaridel St., Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines 6014
Telephone Nos.: (032) 345 – 0545 | (032) 505 – 6337
E-mail Address: mandaue.city001@[Link]
Website: [Link]

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