Name:_______________________ Class Time:________________ Due: __________
Factoring IV
Complete the table below and use it for reference in the problems that follow:
number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
double
square
cube
Are each the following equivalent? (Yes / No)
x 2 − 25 , x 2 + 0 x − 25 , x 2 + 5 x − 5 x − 25 , x 2 + 4 x − 4 x − 25
Which of the above can be factored with grouping in their current form? Circle . any/all that apply.
Multiply with FOIL, Rewrite each below in such a way
then simplify. that it can be factored with grouping,
then factor completely.
1a. ( x − 4) ( x + 4) 1b. x 2 − 16
2a. ( a + 7 y) ( a − 7 y) 2b. a 2 − 49 y 2
3a. ( a − b) ( a + b) 3b. a 2 − b 2
4a. #3b is the formula for the ____________________ of two ___________________.
The key is to figure out what is your “a” term and what is your “b” term.
Look at the following. 81y 2 − 100 x 2
If a 2 = 81y 2 , then a = ______________.
If b 2 = 100x 2 , then b = ______________.
4b. Now use the formula from 3b factor: 81y 2 − 100 x 2 .
MAT121/Factoring IV/Page 1 of 4
Name:_______________________ Class Time:________________ Due: __________
5a. Determine a and b and use these to help you factor: 25 x 2 − 9
a = _____________, b = ______________.
25 x 2 − 9 = (___________)(_____________)
5b. If a 2 − b 2 = ( x + 3) 2 − 16 , then a = _____________, and b = ______________.
Your answer below should be in the form: (a − b)(a + b)
Now factor: ( x + 3) − 16 = (___________)(___________)
2
5c. Now, take your answer from 5b and simplify within the parentheses.
Your answer should be in the form: ( x − A) ( x + B)
5d. Expand ( x + 3) 2 − 16 , combine like terms and simplify completely.
5e. Factor the trinomial found in 5d and compare to the answer found in 5c.
Multiply and simplify completely. Factor. (No work necessary, just write formula
6a. ( a + b ) ( a 2 − ab + b 2 ) 6b. a 3 + b3
7a. ( a − b ) ( a2 + ab + b 2 ) 7b. a 3 − b3
8. a) You now have formulas to factor the sum or difference of two _________________.
MAT121/Factoring IV/Page 2 of 4
Name:_______________________ Class Time:________________ Due: __________
8b) Rewrite each formula below: (and start memorizing them now!)
Sum of two cubes formula:_______________________________________________
Difference of two cubes formula:__________________________________________
8c) Again, find the “a” and “b” first. What is your “a” and “b” for the following? Factor it.
x 3 + 27 a = _____________, b = ______________.
Find your “a” and “b”, then factor.
9. 125 y − 64
6
a = _____________, b = ______________.
** Journal entry: Is the following factorable: x 2 + 16 ? Why or why not?
So what can you say about factoring the sum of two squares?
Carefully factor each polynomials below. All of the types of factoring are represented here.
(You may find it necessary to use multiple methods within a single problem)
WORK THESE OUT ON YOUR SCRATCH PAPER OR WHITEBOARDS FIRST!!
10. 25 x 2 y 2 + 30 xy + 9 11(a) 16 x 3 − 54 y 15
12. 9a 2 − 24ab + 16b 2 − 81
11(b) MULTIPLY to check your answer
MAT121/Factoring IV/Page 3 of 4
Name:_______________________ Class Time:________________ Due: __________
13.(a) x 2 + 14 y + 49 − y 2 13 (b) MULTIPLY to check your answer
(watch your signs!)
4 x 2 − ( y + 1)
2
14. a 6 + 8x 3 15.
16. x 2 + 8 x + 4 17. y 6 − x8
18. x 2 + 12 x + 36 19. x 2 − 10 x + 25
Journal Entry: What do you notice about the result of factoring #18 and 19? Look at the original
problem and determine why this works. Now make up your own polynomial that will have similar
results when factored.
MAT121/Factoring IV/Page 4 of 4
