Factoring and Division of Polynomials

Christopher F. Santos

Algebra Lecture 3
De La Salle University

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

1 / 13

Factoring Polynomials

A polynomial with integer coefficients is said to be

prime if its only polynomial factors with integer
coefficients are 1, -1, itself, and its negative
factored completely (or in completely factored
form) if it is written as a product of prime
polynomials

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

2 / 13

Common Factor

ax + ay = a(x + y )

Examples:
1
6xy 2 z 3 12x 2 yz 2 + 4xy 3 z 2
= 2xyz 2 (3yz 6x + 2y 2 )
2
2(x 3)(4x + 7)2 + 8(x 3)2 (4x + 7)
= 2(x 3)(4x + 7)(8x 5)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

3 / 13

Common Factor

ax + ay = a(x + y )

Examples:
1
6xy 2 z 3 12x 2 yz 2 + 4xy 3 z 2
= 2xyz 2 (3yz 6x + 2y 2 )
2
2(x 3)(4x + 7)2 + 8(x 3)2 (4x + 7)
= 2(x 3)(4x + 7)(8x 5)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

3 / 13

Common Factor

ax + ay = a(x + y )

Examples:
1
6xy 2 z 3 12x 2 yz 2 + 4xy 3 z 2
= 2xyz 2 (3yz 6x + 2y 2 )
2
2(x 3)(4x + 7)2 + 8(x 3)2 (4x + 7)
= 2(x 3)(4x + 7)(8x 5)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

3 / 13

Common Factor

ax + ay = a(x + y )

Examples:
1
6xy 2 z 3 12x 2 yz 2 + 4xy 3 z 2
= 2xyz 2 (3yz 6x + 2y 2 )
2
2(x 3)(4x + 7)2 + 8(x 3)2 (4x + 7)
= 2(x 3)(4x + 7)(8x 5)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

3 / 13

Common Factor

ax + ay = a(x + y )

Examples:
1
6xy 2 z 3 12x 2 yz 2 + 4xy 3 z 2
= 2xyz 2 (3yz 6x + 2y 2 )
2
2(x 3)(4x + 7)2 + 8(x 3)2 (4x + 7)
= 2(x 3)(4x + 7)(8x 5)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

3 / 13

Factoring by Grouping

Sometimes, it is possible to group the terms such that

each group has a common factor.
Examples:
1
x 3 + 3x 2 5x 15
= (x + 3)(x 2 5)
2
3ax 6ay 2bx + 4by + 4x 8y
= (3a 2b + 4)(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

4 / 13

Factoring by Grouping

Sometimes, it is possible to group the terms such that

each group has a common factor.
Examples:
1
x 3 + 3x 2 5x 15
= (x + 3)(x 2 5)
2
3ax 6ay 2bx + 4by + 4x 8y
= (3a 2b + 4)(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

4 / 13

Factoring by Grouping

Sometimes, it is possible to group the terms such that

each group has a common factor.
Examples:
1
x 3 + 3x 2 5x 15
= (x + 3)(x 2 5)
2
3ax 6ay 2bx + 4by + 4x 8y
= (3a 2b + 4)(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

4 / 13

Factoring by Grouping

Sometimes, it is possible to group the terms such that

each group has a common factor.
Examples:
1
x 3 + 3x 2 5x 15
= (x + 3)(x 2 5)
2
3ax 6ay 2bx + 4by + 4x 8y
= (3a 2b + 4)(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

4 / 13

Factoring by Grouping

Sometimes, it is possible to group the terms such that

each group has a common factor.
Examples:
1
x 3 + 3x 2 5x 15
= (x + 3)(x 2 5)
2
3ax 6ay 2bx + 4by + 4x 8y
= (3a 2b + 4)(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

4 / 13

Difference of Two Squares

x 2 y 2 = (x + y )(x y )

Examples:
1
9x 6 25 = (3x 3 + 5)(3x 3 5)
2

x 4 16y 4 = (x 2 + 4y 2 )(x + 2y )(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

5 / 13

Difference of Two Squares

x 2 y 2 = (x + y )(x y )

Examples:
1
9x 6 25 = (3x 3 + 5)(3x 3 5)
2

x 4 16y 4 = (x 2 + 4y 2 )(x + 2y )(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

5 / 13

Difference of Two Squares

x 2 y 2 = (x + y )(x y )

Examples:
1
9x 6 25 = (3x 3 + 5)(3x 3 5)
2

x 4 16y 4 = (x 2 + 4y 2 )(x + 2y )(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

5 / 13

Difference of Two Squares

x 2 y 2 = (x + y )(x y )

Examples:
1
9x 6 25 = (3x 3 + 5)(3x 3 5)
2

x 4 16y 4 = (x 2 + 4y 2 )(x + 2y )(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

5 / 13

Difference of Two Squares

x 2 y 2 = (x + y )(x y )

Examples:
1
9x 6 25 = (3x 3 + 5)(3x 3 5)
2

x 4 16y 4 = (x 2 + 4y 2 )(x + 2y )(x 2y )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

5 / 13

Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

x 3 y 3 = (x y )(x 2 xy + y 2 )

Examples:
1
x 6 64 = (x + 2)(x 2 2x + 4)(x 2)(x 2 + 2x + 4)
2

64a6 b3 + 125c 12
= (4a2 b + 5c 4 )(16a4 b2 20a2 bc 4 + 25c 8 )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

6 / 13

Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

x 3 y 3 = (x y )(x 2 xy + y 2 )

Examples:
1
x 6 64 = (x + 2)(x 2 2x + 4)(x 2)(x 2 + 2x + 4)
2

64a6 b3 + 125c 12
= (4a2 b + 5c 4 )(16a4 b2 20a2 bc 4 + 25c 8 )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

6 / 13

Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

x 3 y 3 = (x y )(x 2 xy + y 2 )

Examples:
1
x 6 64 = (x + 2)(x 2 2x + 4)(x 2)(x 2 + 2x + 4)
2

64a6 b3 + 125c 12
= (4a2 b + 5c 4 )(16a4 b2 20a2 bc 4 + 25c 8 )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

6 / 13

Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

x 3 y 3 = (x y )(x 2 xy + y 2 )

Examples:
1
x 6 64 = (x + 2)(x 2 2x + 4)(x 2)(x 2 + 2x + 4)
2

64a6 b3 + 125c 12
= (4a2 b + 5c 4 )(16a4 b2 20a2 bc 4 + 25c 8 )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

6 / 13

Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

x 3 y 3 = (x y )(x 2 xy + y 2 )

Examples:
1
x 6 64 = (x + 2)(x 2 2x + 4)(x 2)(x 2 + 2x + 4)
2

64a6 b3 + 125c 12
= (4a2 b + 5c 4 )(16a4 b2 20a2 bc 4 + 25c 8 )

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

6 / 13

Perfect Square Trinomial

x 2 2xy + y 2 = (x y )2

Examples:
1
4t 2 + 12t + 9 = (2t + 3)2
2

81m4 72m2 n + 16n2 = (9m2 4n)2

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

7 / 13

Perfect Square Trinomial

x 2 2xy + y 2 = (x y )2

Examples:
1
4t 2 + 12t + 9 = (2t + 3)2
2

81m4 72m2 n + 16n2 = (9m2 4n)2

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

7 / 13

Perfect Square Trinomial

x 2 2xy + y 2 = (x y )2

Examples:
1
4t 2 + 12t + 9 = (2t + 3)2
2

81m4 72m2 n + 16n2 = (9m2 4n)2

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

7 / 13

Perfect Square Trinomial

x 2 2xy + y 2 = (x y )2

Examples:
1
4t 2 + 12t + 9 = (2t + 3)2
2

81m4 72m2 n + 16n2 = (9m2 4n)2

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

7 / 13

Perfect Square Trinomial

x 2 2xy + y 2 = (x y )2

Examples:
1
4t 2 + 12t + 9 = (2t + 3)2
2

81m4 72m2 n + 16n2 = (9m2 4n)2

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

7 / 13

Trinomials of the Form x 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a and b such that
a+b =s

ab = p

Then, we have
x 2 + (a + b)x + ab = (x + a)(x + b)

Examples:
1
x 2 x 12 = (x + 3)(x 4)
2

x 2 21x + 80 = (x 16)(x 5)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

8 / 13

Trinomials of the Form x 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a and b such that
a+b =s

ab = p

Then, we have
x 2 + (a + b)x + ab = (x + a)(x + b)

Examples:
1
x 2 x 12 = (x + 3)(x 4)
2

x 2 21x + 80 = (x 16)(x 5)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

8 / 13

Trinomials of the Form x 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a and b such that
a+b =s

ab = p

Then, we have
x 2 + (a + b)x + ab = (x + a)(x + b)

Examples:
1
x 2 x 12 = (x + 3)(x 4)
2

x 2 21x + 80 = (x 16)(x 5)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

8 / 13

Trinomials of the Form x 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a and b such that
a+b =s

ab = p

Then, we have
x 2 + (a + b)x + ab = (x + a)(x + b)

Examples:
1
x 2 x 12 = (x + 3)(x 4)
2

x 2 21x + 80 = (x 16)(x 5)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

8 / 13

Trinomials of the Form x 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a and b such that
a+b =s

ab = p

Then, we have
x 2 + (a + b)x + ab = (x + a)(x + b)

Examples:
1
x 2 x 12 = (x + 3)(x 4)
2

x 2 21x + 80 = (x 16)(x 5)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

8 / 13

Trinomials of the Form qx 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a, b, c, and d such that
ac = q

bd = p

ad + bc = s

Then, we have
acx 2 + (ad + bc)x + bd = (ax + b)(cx + d)

Examples:
1
3x 2 10x 8 = (3x + 2)(x 4)
2

6x 2 + 5x 4 = (2x 1)(3x + 4)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

9 / 13

Trinomials of the Form qx 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a, b, c, and d such that
ac = q

bd = p

ad + bc = s

Then, we have
acx 2 + (ad + bc)x + bd = (ax + b)(cx + d)

Examples:
1
3x 2 10x 8 = (3x + 2)(x 4)
2

6x 2 + 5x 4 = (2x 1)(3x + 4)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

9 / 13

Trinomials of the Form qx 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a, b, c, and d such that
ac = q

bd = p

ad + bc = s

Then, we have
acx 2 + (ad + bc)x + bd = (ax + b)(cx + d)

Examples:
1
3x 2 10x 8 = (3x + 2)(x 4)
2

6x 2 + 5x 4 = (2x 1)(3x + 4)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

9 / 13

Trinomials of the Form qx 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a, b, c, and d such that
ac = q

bd = p

ad + bc = s

Then, we have
acx 2 + (ad + bc)x + bd = (ax + b)(cx + d)

Examples:
1
3x 2 10x 8 = (3x + 2)(x 4)
2

6x 2 + 5x 4 = (2x 1)(3x + 4)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

9 / 13

Trinomials of the Form qx 2 + sx + p

If possible, find integers a, b, c, and d such that
ac = q

bd = p

ad + bc = s

Then, we have
acx 2 + (ad + bc)x + bd = (ax + b)(cx + d)

Examples:
1
3x 2 10x 8 = (3x + 2)(x 4)
2

6x 2 + 5x 4 = (2x 1)(3x + 4)
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

9 / 13

Completing the Square

Add and subtract a perfect square term to obtain a

difference of two perfect square trinomial. Then apply
the Difference of Two Squares Technique.
Examples:
1

x 4 + 4y 4 = (x 2 + 2y 2 2xy )(x 2 + 2y 2 + 2xy )

x 4 5x 2 + 4 = (x + 2)(x 1)(x 2)(x + 1)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

10 / 13

Completing the Square

Add and subtract a perfect square term to obtain a

difference of two perfect square trinomial. Then apply
the Difference of Two Squares Technique.
Examples:
1

x 4 + 4y 4 = (x 2 + 2y 2 2xy )(x 2 + 2y 2 + 2xy )

x 4 5x 2 + 4 = (x + 2)(x 1)(x 2)(x + 1)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

10 / 13

Completing the Square

Add and subtract a perfect square term to obtain a

difference of two perfect square trinomial. Then apply
the Difference of Two Squares Technique.
Examples:
1

x 4 + 4y 4 = (x 2 + 2y 2 2xy )(x 2 + 2y 2 + 2xy )

x 4 5x 2 + 4 = (x + 2)(x 1)(x 2)(x + 1)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

10 / 13

Completing the Square

Add and subtract a perfect square term to obtain a

difference of two perfect square trinomial. Then apply
the Difference of Two Squares Technique.
Examples:
1

x 4 + 4y 4 = (x 2 + 2y 2 2xy )(x 2 + 2y 2 + 2xy )

x 4 5x 2 + 4 = (x + 2)(x 1)(x 2)(x + 1)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

10 / 13

Completing the Square

Add and subtract a perfect square term to obtain a

difference of two perfect square trinomial. Then apply
the Difference of Two Squares Technique.
Examples:
1

x 4 + 4y 4 = (x 2 + 2y 2 2xy )(x 2 + 2y 2 + 2xy )

x 4 5x 2 + 4 = (x + 2)(x 1)(x 2)(x + 1)

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

10 / 13

Boardwork

Factor the following completely.

1
2
3
4
5
6

12

21x 2 y + 2xy 8y
x 2 y 2 16xy + 64
3x 2 x 2
4x 3 + 108
2x 2 288
4ax 2 + 20ax 56a

24a2 x 4 375a8 x

x3 x2 x + 1

3x 3 + 6x 2 27x 54

10

4ax 2 + 20ax 56a

11

x 6 + 8x 3 20

6(2p + q)2 5(2p + q) 25

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

11 / 13

Division of Polynomials

To divide a polynomial by a monomial, use the

property
a+b
a b
= +
d
d d
then apply the laws of exponents to simplify.
Ex. (6x 2 y 3 12x 3 y 2 + 15x 2 y 2 ) (3xy 2 )
= 2xy 4x 2 + 5x

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

12 / 13

Division of Polynomials

To divide a polynomial by a monomial, use the

property
a+b
a b
= +
d
d d
then apply the laws of exponents to simplify.
Ex. (6x 2 y 3 12x 3 y 2 + 15x 2 y 2 ) (3xy 2 )
= 2xy 4x 2 + 5x

Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

12 / 13

Division of Polynomials
In general, to divide two polynomials P(x) Q(x)
where deg P(x) > deg Q(x), one can use long
division, a process similar to dividing integers.
Ex. (x 3 3x 2 + 4) (x + 1) = x 2 4x + 4
Ex. (6x 3 x 2 + x 5 + 4) (x 2 + 4)
8x + 8
= x 3 + 2x 1 + 2
x +4
If the divisor is of the form Q(x) = x a, then it would
be faster to divide using synthetic division.
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

13 / 13

Division of Polynomials
In general, to divide two polynomials P(x) Q(x)
where deg P(x) > deg Q(x), one can use long
division, a process similar to dividing integers.
Ex. (x 3 3x 2 + 4) (x + 1) = x 2 4x + 4
Ex. (6x 3 x 2 + x 5 + 4) (x 2 + 4)
8x + 8
= x 3 + 2x 1 + 2
x +4
If the divisor is of the form Q(x) = x a, then it would
be faster to divide using synthetic division.
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

13 / 13

Division of Polynomials
In general, to divide two polynomials P(x) Q(x)
where deg P(x) > deg Q(x), one can use long
division, a process similar to dividing integers.
Ex. (x 3 3x 2 + 4) (x + 1) = x 2 4x + 4
Ex. (6x 3 x 2 + x 5 + 4) (x 2 + 4)
8x + 8
= x 3 + 2x 1 + 2
x +4
If the divisor is of the form Q(x) = x a, then it would
be faster to divide using synthetic division.
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

13 / 13

Division of Polynomials
In general, to divide two polynomials P(x) Q(x)
where deg P(x) > deg Q(x), one can use long
division, a process similar to dividing integers.
Ex. (x 3 3x 2 + 4) (x + 1) = x 2 4x + 4
Ex. (6x 3 x 2 + x 5 + 4) (x 2 + 4)
8x + 8
= x 3 + 2x 1 + 2
x +4
If the divisor is of the form Q(x) = x a, then it would
be faster to divide using synthetic division.
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

13 / 13

Division of Polynomials
In general, to divide two polynomials P(x) Q(x)
where deg P(x) > deg Q(x), one can use long
division, a process similar to dividing integers.
Ex. (x 3 3x 2 + 4) (x + 1) = x 2 4x + 4
Ex. (6x 3 x 2 + x 5 + 4) (x 2 + 4)
8x + 8
= x 3 + 2x 1 + 2
x +4
If the divisor is of the form Q(x) = x a, then it would
be faster to divide using synthetic division.
Christopher F. Santos

Factoring and Division of Polynomials

DLSU Algebra Lecture 3

13 / 13