SAN ISIDRO HIGH SCHOOL OF BALABAGAN, INC.

SY: 2021-2022
MATHEMATICS 8
TOPIC: FACTORING
I. INTRODUCTION
Factoring is an important process that helps us understand more about our equations. Through factoring, we rewrite
our polynomials in simpler form, and when we apply the principles of factoring to equations, we yield a lot of useful
information.
In this module, you will discover how important it is to plan well and utilize essential mathematical skills to be able
to accomplish several tasks and come up with the desired output.

II. FOCUS QUESTION

How can unknown quantities in algebraic problems be solved?

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Factor completely different types of polynomials.
2. Solve problems involving polynomials and their factors.

III. MODULE MAP

To guide you in this module, below is a simple map of the above lessons you will cover.

FACTORING

COOMON MONOMIAL SUM AND DIFFERENCE

FACTOR OF TWO CUBES
APPLICATIONS

To do well in this lesson, you need to remember and do the following:

1. Read and follow the instructions very carefully.
2. Answer the pretest in order to determine how much you already know about the lessons in this module.
3. Perform all the activities diligently to help and guide you in understanding the topic.
4. Take down notes as you go through the activities. Writing on paper or typing on your computer helps you remember
and understand things easier.
5. Answer the post-test to measure how much you have learned from the lesson.
6. Good luck and have fun.

PRE - ASSESSMENT/ PRETEST

Let’s find out how much you already know. Answer the pretest below.

Read each item carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer for each question.
1. What is the Greatest Common Factor of 24 and 54?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 6

2. What is the GCF of 20, 24, and 40?

A. 1 B. 4 C. 8 D. 20

3. What is the GCF of x2 and x9 ?

A. x2 B. x7 C. x11 D. x18

4. What is the GCF of 10 ,46 , 99 , and 1010?

A. xy B. xy6 C. x4y4 D. x4y6

5. What are the complete factors of the polynomial 7?

A. 7(x - 1) B. 7(1 − x) C. 7x - 1 D. 7(x - 7)

6. What are the complete factors of 26- 124 ?

A. 2(4x4- 6x4) B. 2x5(x - 6x) C. 2x4(x2 − 6) D. x6(2x2 − 12)

7. Which of the following is a perfect square expression?

A. 3x2 B. 4x C. 9x3 D. 16x4

8. If one factor of the difference of two squares is x + 2, what is the other factor?
A. x - 2 B. x2 – 2 C. x2 – 22 D. (x - 2)2

9. What is the complete factored form of 2 − 1 6?

A. (z - 4)2 B. (z - 8)2 C. (z - 4)(z - 4) D. (z +4)(z - 4)

10. What is the complete factored form of the expression 4 − 49?

A. (y2)2 − (72)2 B. (y2 − 7)2 C. (y2 + 7)2 D. (y2 − 7) (y2 + 7)
11. Which of the following polynomials has factors (?
A. x2y - 1 B. x2y2 − 1 C. xy2 − 1 D. x2y2 + 1

12. Which of the following expressions is a perfect cube?

A. 8x B. 27x2 C. 64x6 D. 125x4

13. Which of the following is the complete factored form of the cubic polynomial 3 − 8?
A. (x - 2)(x2 + 2x + 4) B. (x + 2)(x2 - 2x + 4) C. (x - 2)(x2 + 2x - 4) D. (x - 2)(x2 - 2x +
4)

14. Factor completely: 273 + 643

A. (3x3) + (4y3)
B. (3x + 4y)(9x2 − 12xy + 16y2)
C. (3x + 4y)(3x2 − 3xy + 16y2)
D. (3x + 4y)(3x2 − 12xy + 4y2)

15. Your classmate was asked to square (2, he answered 42 − 9. Is his answer
correct?
A. Yes, because product rule is correctly applied.
B. Yes, because squaring a binomial always produces a binomial product.
C. No, because the answer must be 42 + 9.
D. No, because squaring a binomial always produces a trinomial product.

If you encounter any difficulty in understanding or answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult
me during the time scheduled.
FB messenger: Carlot Tortola Contact no: 0945-749-8274

LESSON 1: FACTORING: COMMON MONOMIAL FACTOR

EXPLORE
Factoring is the process of finding the factors of a mathematical expression.
One of the factoring techniques that you are going to learn in this module is factoring
by greatest common monomial factor (GCMF) which is the factor contained in eavery term.

Activity 1: Finding common

Answer of what is asked.
A. What objects have in common?

ANSWER

B. Write in box A the common objects found in pictures 1 & 2 and in box B the difference between pictures.

PICTUR PICTUR
B
A
COMMON DIFFERENCE

Activity 2: Pieces of My Life

Find the possible factors of the given number or expression below. Choose you answers from the box and write it your
answer sheet.

2 x a 10 z y

6 b 5 4 3

1. 8 __________
2. 2x __________
 3. 5ab __________
4. 12z __________
5. 20xy __________

END OF EXPLORE

FIRM - UP
Finding Factors of Polynomials. Study the illustrative examples of how factoring by common monomial factor is being done.

Example:
1. Factor 15d2e4 - 10d3e6f
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Finding the Common Monomial Factor of 15d2e4 - 10d3e6f
Steps Solution
a. Find the greatest common factor of the  15 = 1, 3, 5, 15
numerical coefficients (15 and 10).  10 = 1, 2, 5, 10
Therefore, the GCF is 5

b. Find the variable with the least exponent in  Least exponent of d is 2, for e is 4
each term of the polynomial.

c. The product of the GCF of the numerical  (5) (d2e4 ) = 5d2e4

coefficient and the variable with the least exponents is  Hence, 5d2e4 is Common Monomial Factor of 15d2e4 -
the Common Monomial Factor (CMF) of the 10d3e6f
polynomial.

 To find the factors of the given expression, divide the given polynomial by its CMF.
 The CMF & the resulting quotient are the factors.

Step 2: Finding the Factors of 15d2e4 - 10d3e6f

Steps Solution
a. Given Expression:  15d e － 10d e f
2 4 3 6

b. First Term  15d2e4

c. Common Monomial Factor (CMF)  5d2e4

d. Divide the numerical coefficient of the 1st  15 ÷ 5 = 3

term of the given polynomial by the
exponent of the same variables of the CMF.

e. Substract the exponent of the same variables  d2-2 = d0 = 1

of the CMF. e4-4 = e0 = 1

f. Quotient of the First Term  3(1)(1) = 3

Do the same process for the second term of the
polynomial.
 10d3e6f
g. 2nd Term
 5d2e4
h. Common Monomial Factor
 10 ÷ 5 = 2
i. Divide the numerical coefficient of the 2nd term of
the given polynomial by the numerical coefficient
of the CMF.
 d3-2 = d (if the variable of the exponent is 1, it is not
j. Subtract the exponent of the same variables from the necessary to be written)
given polynomial by the exponent of the same e6-4 = e2
variables of the CMF. f=f

k. Quotient of the 2nd Term  2de2f

l. Bring together the quotient of both terms.  3－2de2f

m. Copy the operations symbol of the polynomials.
 5d2e4 (3－2de2f)
n. Factored form of 15d e - 10d e f
2 4 3 6

Let’s take another example:

2. Find the factor of 12x3y5 − 20x5y2z
Steps Solution
Step 1. Determine the number of terms.  There are two terms in the given expression 12x3y5 −
20x5y2z; 12x3y5 and 20x5y2z.

Common
Coefficient Factors GCF
Step 2: Determine the GCF of the numerical factors
coefficient.
1, 2, 3, 4,
12 6, 12
1, 2, 3, 4 4
1, 2, 4, 5,
20 10, 20

 GCF (x3y5, x5y2z) = x3y2

Determine the GCF of the variables.
The GCF of the variables is the one with the least
exponent and is common to every term.
 4 ( x3y2) = 4x3y2
Step 3. Find the product of GCF of the numerical This means that, 4x3y2is the GCMF of the two terms 12x3y5
coefficient and the variables − 20x5y2z.
12�3�5 20�5�2�
 −
4�3�2 4�3�2
Step 4. Find the other factor, by dividing each term of 312�3�53 520�5�2�
the polynomial 12x3y5 − 20x5y2z; 12x3y5 by the GCMF 
14�3�2
− 14�3�2
4x3y2.  3y － 5x z
3 2

 12x3y5 − 20x5y2z = 4x3y2 (3y3 － 5x2z)

Step 5. Write the complete factored form

END OF FIRM UP

DEEPEN
Now that you have understand how to factor using the greatest common factor, let us check if you can do it.

Activity 3: I can do it.

Refer to your book page 81. Answer Warm-up practice letter A numbers 1- 6. Write your answers in the answer sheet.
END OF DEEPEN

TRANSFER
Activity 4: YOU CAN BE A WRITER.
Write each expression in factored form. Show your solution. Write your answers in the answer sheet.
EXPRESSIONS FACTORED FORM
1. 4a + 6b
2. 5x4y - 20xy3
3. 6c4 - 20xy3
4. 4d3 + 16de2 - 20df 3
5. 7gh4 - 14gh2
END OF TRANSFER

LESSON 2: FACTORING: DIFFERENCE OF TWO SQUARES

EXPLORE
We have learned in lesson 1 about factoring and common monomial factor. This lesson emphasizes another factoring technique which is
factoring the difference of two squares.

Recall: Perfect squares are numbers or expressions that can be expressed to the power of 2.
Examples:
1. 4 = (2) (2) = 22 Thus, 4 and 9x2 are perfect square.
2. 9x = (3x) (3x) = (3x)
2 2

Activity 1: What am I?
Determine which of the following is a perfect square. Write P if it is a perfect square
and N if it is not.
1. 16
2. 12
3. 25
4. 8x2
5. 36y4
END OF EXPLORE

FIRM - UP
Activity 1: Familiarizing Squares and Square Roots
Study the given squares and square roots.
Give the squares of numbers 16 - 20.

Square Square Square Square

Squares Squares Squares Squares
Roots Roots Roots Roots
1 1 6 36 11 121 16
2 4 7 49 12 144 17
3 9 8 64 13 169 18
4 16 9 81 14 196 19
5 25 10 100 15 225 20
Square Square
Squares Squares
Roots Roots To square the exponent of the variable, just multiply the exponent
n n2 n6 n12 by 2. On the other hand, to find the root of the exponent of the
n2
n 4
n 7
n 14 variable, just divide the exponent by 2.
n3 n6 n8 n16
n4 n8 n9 n18
n5
n 10
n10
n20
In the activity number 1, you learned the squares and roots of numbers 1-20, and variables n － n10. This is for you to
easily find the roots of the given squares in this discussion. Once you know the roots of the squares and remember the
formula of factoring difference of two squares which is a2 － b2 = (a + b) (a － b), then you will easily answer all the
given expressions in the following activities.

Activity 2: Let’s Try!

For you to have a better understanding about the lesson, observe how expressions below are factored, observe how each
terms relates with each other. Answer number 3.
Formula: a2 － b2 = (a + b) (a － b)

1. Write x2 − 9 in completely factored form.

Steps Solutions
Step 1. Express the first and the second terms in  x2 = (x) (x) = (x)2
exponential form with a power of 2 9 = (3) (3) = (3)2

Step 2: Subtract the two terms in exponential form  (x)2 − (3)2

following the pattern a2 − b2 .

Step 3: Factor completely following the pattern a2  (x + 3) (x − 3)

− b2 = (a + b) (a − b)
Hence, the complete factored form is,
x2 − 9 =(x)2 − (3)2 = (x + 3) (x − 3)

(For more examples, refer to your book on page 78.)

Based on the examples above, these are the steps in factoring difference of two squares:
Step 1: Express the first and the second terms in exponential form with a power of 2.
Step 2: Subtract the two terms in exponential form following the pattern a2 − b2 .
Step 3: Factor completely following the pattern a2 − b2 = (a + b) (a - b)

Note that there are cases where after expressing each term as a power of 2, the resulting numbers or expressions can
still be factored further. This is when the results are still perfect squares. Hence, there is a need to inspect thoroughly
and ensure that all terms are
completely factored.

2. Write x4 − 81 in completely factored form.

Steps Solutions
Step 1. Express the first and the second  x4 = (x2)2
terms in exponential form with a power of 2 81 = (9)2

Step 2: Subtract the two terms in

exponential form following the pattern a2 −  (x2)2 − (9)2
b2 .

Step 3: Factor completely following the  (x2 + 9) (x2 − 9)

 pattern a2 − b2 = (a + b) (a − b)

Step 4: The two factors are (x2 + 9) (x2 − 9).  x2 − 9 = (x)2 − (3)2 = (x + 3) (x − 3)
Notice the second factor x2 − 9 is a
difference of two squares, thus, it can still
be factored out.

This means that, the complete factored form  x4 − 81 = (x2)2 − (9)2 = (x2 + 9) (x2 − 9)
of x4 − 81 is… = (x2 + 9) (x + 3) (x − 3)

In the example above,(x2 + 9) is called the

sum of two squares. It cannot be factored!

3. Write 16a6 − 25b2 in completely factored form.

Steps Solutions
Step 1. Express the first and the second
terms in exponential form with a power of 2

Step 2: Subtract the two terms in

exponential form following the pattern a2 −
b2 .

Step 3: Factor completely following the

pattern a2 − b2 = (a + b) (a − b)

END OF FIRM-UP
DEEPEN
Activity 3: Tell Me!
Tell whether or not the given binomial is a difference of two squares. If it is, write D. If it is not, write N. Write your
answer on your answer sheet.(Show your solution)
1. a2 − 81
2. c2 − 18
3. d2 − 25
4. 25e2 − 16
5. r2 + 9s4
END OF DEEPEN
How do you find the activity? Is it easy or hard? Can you now completely factor difference of two squares independently?

TRANSFER
Activity 4: Whole to Parts
The factors of the following polynomials are given below. Choose the right factors that correspond to each given
polynomial and write your answers on your answer sheet.

( x − 9) (5x − 1) (4x − 9y) (9x +20y2) (2x − 7) 4x2 − 9

(4x + 9y) (2x + 7) (x + 9) (5x + 1) (9x − 20y2)

1. x2 − 81 = ______________
2. 4x2 − 49 = ______________
3. 16x2 − 81y2 = ______________
4. 25x2 − 1 = ______________
5. 81x − 400y4 = ______________
END OF TRANSFER

POST-TEST/ POST ASSESSMENT

A. Choose the letter of the correct answer. Show your solution. Write your answers in the worksheet.
1. What is the process of finding the factors of an expression which is the reverse process of multiplication?
A. factoring B. rationalization C. special product D. continuous division

2. What is the Greatest Common Factor of 12 and 24?

A. 2 B. 4 C. 12 D. 24

3. Which of the following pair of numbers has a GCF of 6?

A. 2 and 3 B. 8 and 12 C. 6 and 10 D. 12 and 18

4. What is the GCF of 2a3 and a6?

 A. a3 B. 2a3 C. a6 D. 2a6

5. What is the GCF of a5b8 , a4b 6, a3b9 , and a 12b 10?

A. a5b8
B. a3b6
C. a12b8
D. a12 b6

B. Factor the following polynomials.

1. 9x2 - 1
2. 4n2 - 49
3. 24a2b5 + 12a4b5
4. 49x3z4 - 14x2yz2

CLOSURE
Now you have already completed this module, let’s summarize what you had learned. This module taught you to factor
different products through the rules of different patterns and rules. Factoring techniques that you had learned were:
1. Factoring by Common Monomial Factor;
2. Factoring Difference of Two squares; and
You had learned that in factoring difference of two squares you need to find the square roots of each square.