Factorization of Polynomials

Do you know what factorization of polynomials means? Now that you have an idea of what polynomials are,  let’s learn how to factorize a polynomial. This is an important step towards solving an equation in mathematics. Let’s find out.

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Before starting, let’s try to solve an example. If you are given 12 chocolates, choose the correct option in which you can divide them, such that you are left with no chocolates:

• Group of 3 people
• Group of 4 people
• Group of 6 people

Well, the answer is, any one of the options will do. Why so? Well, you know that 3, 4 and 6 are factors of 12 from your knowledge of number system, which you have learned long back. So, we can divide the 12 chocolates into these groups.

Browse more Topics under Polynomials

• Polynomial and its Types
• Value of Polynomial and Division Algorithm
• Degree of Polynomial
• Remainder Theorem
• Factor Theorem
• Zeroes of Polynomial
• Geometrical Representation of Zeroes of a Polynomial

Factors 

What are the factors? When it comes to integers, if a number has an integral value and that particular value get divided completely by another number(s) without leaving any remainder other than zero, then the dividend is said to be a factor(s) of that integer.

OR

When an integer could be written as a product of two or more integers each then such numbers will be its factor. Why not consider some examples to understand more. What can be the factors for 12?

12 = 6 × 2
12 = 4 × 3
12 = 12 × 1

So, you can see that a number can be factorized in more than one way. But it’s not applicable to all the numbers. For a number like 7, 3, 5, 11 (which are prime numbers), these numbers have only one factor other than itself.

7 = 7 × 1

So, it can be factorized in only one possible way.

Factorization of Polynomials

The same case of numbers also exists with Polynomials. A polynomial can be written as a product of two or more polynomials of degree less than or equal to that of it. Each polynomial involved in the product will be a factor of it.

Graph of a Polynomial (Source: Wikipedia)

The process involved in breaking a polynomial into the product of its factors is known as the factorization of polynomials. As I’ve told in the previous sections that Monomial, Binomials are just the other names for Polynomials. Its always good to start with the smaller and easiest one. So, let’s hit the Monomials.

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Monomials

Monomials can be factorized in the same way as integers, just by writing the monomial as the product of its constituent prime factors. In the case of monomials, these prime factors can be integers as well as other monomials which cannot be factorized further. Factorize:

• a³ = (a) × (a) × (a)
• 3abc = (3) × (a) × (b) × (c)

We will factorize monomials with binomials, trinomial and polynomial. But before doing that, we will brush up concepts on GCD or HCF.

GCD or HCF

For a given set of numbers, the Greatest Common Number that will divide each of the numbers will be the GCD of that particular set of numbers. It is also known as HCF of numbers .i.e. Highest Common Factor.

Steps To Calculate the GCD of Integers

• Step 1: Break the number into the product of its prime factors.
• Step 2: Identify the common factors for the given set of numbers.
• Step 3: The product of common factors will be gcd of the number set.
• Step 4: If no common factor is found choose 1 as a common factor.

Example: Find GCD of 15 and 24.

15 = 3 x 5
24 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3

GCD of 15 and 24 is 3. This same procedure applies to polynomials.

Steps To Calculate the GCD of Polynomials

• Step 1: For a given set of polynomials, break the polynomial into its factors such that each factor polynomial cannot be factorized further.
• Step 2: Identify common terms or polynomials for a given set of polynomials.

Example: Find GCD of 15ab and 3bc.

15ab = 3 x (5) x (a) x (b)
23bc = 3 x (b) x (c)

Here, GCD of 15ab and 3bc is 3b.

Factoring Binomials 

Follow the 4 easy steps to factorize Binomials:

• Step 1: Break each term into its prime factors.
• Step 2: Find common factors or GCD for all individual terms.
• Step 3: Factor out the common factor or GCD.
• Step 4: The remaining terms in individual terms will form another polynomial. Put them in separate bracket multiplied by the GCD factored out initially.
• Step 5: The resulting product of terms will be the factors of the initial polynomial (binomial).

Example: Factorize 15ab + 3bc

= 3 × (5) × (a) × (b) + 3 × (b) × (c) = 3b (5a + c)

Factoring Quadratic Polynomials

Case 1: When the coefficient of x² is unity.

The general form of an equation is x²+bx+c. Every quadratic equation can be expressed as: x²+bx+c= (x+d)(x+e). Here, b is the sum of d and e & c is the product of d and e. Example: (x+2)(x+3) = x²+ 2x + 3x + 6 = x²+ 5x + 6.

Here, 5 = 2 + 3 = d + e = b in general form and 6 = 2 × 3 = d × e = c in general form. To factorize quadratic polynomial, we shall be looking for numbers which on multiplication will get equal to c and on summation equal to b.

Example: Factorize x²+8x+12.
Solution: Below the steps are given for your understanding.

• Step 1: Factorize 12 as 12 = 2 × 6 or = 4 × 3. We have to find a pair, such that its product is equal to 12 and summation is equal to 8. Only one such pair is possible i.e. 2 and 6.

2 + 6 = 8
2 × 6 = 12

• Step 2: Break middle term in terms of the summation of a pair of numbers such that its product is equal to c i.e. 12 in above case. We will write 8=6+2

x²+ (6+2)x+ 12
= x²+ 6x +2x + 12

• Step 3: Form pairs of terms and factor out GCD of the two pairs separately.

= x²+ 6x +2x + 12 = (x²+ 6x) +(2x + 12) = x(x+6)+2(x+6)

• Step 4: Again factor out GCD of remaining sum of products. Follow factorization procedure of binomials as explained earlier. Factor out (x+6) from sum of product,

=x(x+6)+2(x+6) = (x+6)(x+2)

Example: Do the factorization of polynomials: x²-5x-6
Soluiton: Factors of -6 are 2 × -3; – 3 × 2; 1 × -6;  -1 × 6 and the pair summing up to -5 is (-6,1) as required. Hence,

x²-5x-6 = x²-6x+x-6 = x(x-6)+(x-6) = (x-6)(x+1)

Case 2:When the coefficient of x² a is an integer other than 1 or -1

General form is given by ax²+bx+c. Any quadratic of form ax²+bx+c is expressible in the product of two linear polynomials:

ax²+bx+c= (a₁x+b₁)(a₂x+b₂)

where a is the product of a₁ and a₂, c is the product of b₁ and b₂ and b is the sum of the product of a₁b₂ and a₂b₁. Consider one more example,

(3x+2)(x+4)= 3x²+ 2x +12x +8 = 3x²+14x+ 8

Here, 3 = 3 × 1 = a_1 ^× a₂ =  a in general form. 14 = 2 × 1 + 4 × 3 = (a₁b₂) × (a₂b₁) = b in general form. 8 = 4 × 2 = b₁ × b₂= c in general form. Example: Factorize 3x² – 5x – 2

• Step 1: find factors of 3 × – 2 = -6.
• Step 2: Product of factors of -6 are = -3 × 2; -2 × 3; 6 × -1; -1 × 6. Here, the possible pair of factor gives a summation of -1 is (-6,1).
•  Step 3: Break the middle term as the summation of two numbers such that its product is equal to -6. Calculated above such two numbers are -6 and 1.
• Step 4: Breaking the middle term: x²-6x+x-2
• Step 5: Making pairs of terms: (3x²-6x)+(x-2)
• Step 6: Factor out GCD for both the pairs: 3x(x-2)+1(x-2). Note: 1 is factored out from the second bracket as there was no other common factor.
• Step 7: Factor out GCD from the resulting summation of products: =3x(x-2)+1(x-2) =(x-2)(3x+1)

Factorization of Polynomials by Grouping

We can factorize polynomial containing even number of terms by forming pairs of terms.

• Step 1: Form pairs out of given even number of terms.
• Step 2: Try factoring out GCD from all the pairs separately.
• Step 3: Lastly, factor out the remaining common factor from the products formed.

Note: In case you do not get common factors for the pairs formed, try rearranging the terms and follow the same procedure again. Example: Factorize x²+ 4xy+4y+x

= (x² + 4xy) + (4y + x)
=x(x + 4y) + 1( 4y + x)
=(x + 4y)(x + 1)

Factorization of Polynomials by Perfect Squares

A trinomial which can be factored, such that both the factors are same. Then, it will form a perfect square trinomial. For example, x²+2x+1 = (x + 1)(x + 1) = (x + 1)². There are certain identities which are important for perfect square trinomials are as follows:

(a+b)²=(a²+2ab+b²)

Example:Do the factorization of polynomials, 4x²+12x+9
Solution: 4x²+12x+9 = (2x)² + 2(2x)(3x) + 3² = (2x + 3)² 

It can be seen from the identities and example above, that a trinomial with first and last terms as perfect squares and the middle term can be written as twice of the product of roots of first and last terms then the trinomial can be expressed as a perfect square.

Factorization of Polynomials by Difference of Squares

This applies mainly to the pair of two polynomial terms which are a perfect square and expressed as the difference between them.

a²-b² = (a – b)(a + b)

Example: 9x² – 4
Solution: 9x² – 4 = (3x+2)(3x-2) { Using Identity }

Solved Example for You

Question 1: Factorise x²+11x+18
Answer : Consider the quadratic polynomial, x²+11x+18

=x² + 9x + 2x + 18
=(x² + 9x) + (2x + 18)
=x(x + 9) + 2(x + 9)
=(x + 9)(x + 2)

Question 2: Name the six types of factoring?

Answer: The six types of factoring are general trinomials, trinomials, difference in two squares, sum or difference in two cubs, greatest common factor, and grouping.

Question 3: What is meant by factorization?

Answer: Factorization or factoring refers to the method of taking a composite number apart into numbers that on multiplication result in the original number.

Question 4: Explain how one can factor and solve polynomials?

Answer: One can solve polynomials by factoring with the help of the following steps:

• Step 1: Write the equation in a form that is correct.
• Step 2: Use strategies of factoring.
• Step 3: Utilize the Zero Product Property. Moreover, each factor containing a variable must be set equal to zero.
• Step 4: Each factor that was set equal to zero must now be solved. This can be done by getting the answer on one side while the x on the other side.

Question 5: How can one factor completely?

Answer: One can factor completely with the following points:

• Factor a GCF, if possible, from the expression.
• Factor, if possible, a Trinomial.
• Factor a Difference that exists between Two Squares as much as possible.