Quarter 1, Week 1

Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) No. 1

Name of Learner : ______________________Grade and Section:_______________
School : _______________________________ Date: _____________________________
Factoring Monomials
I. Learning Competency with Code
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)
II. Background Information for Learners
As you go through thus topic, you are expected to factor polynomials completely using
different techniques.
Factoring a polynomial is the opposite process of multiplying polynomials. We say that a
polynomial is completely factored if all its factors are prime or if it is expressed as the
product of two or more irreducible polynomials. A polynomial is said to be prime if its only
factors are 1 and itself. A polynomial is irreducible if it cannot be expressed as a product of
two polynomials of lower degree and if the coefficients have no common factor other than 1.
A. Factoring a Polynomial with Common Monomial Factor
ab+ac= a(b+c)
Greatest Common Monomial Factor (GCMF) is the greatest number that is a factor of
two (or more) other numbers.
Example 1. Find the GCMF of 4x3 and 8x2.
Solution:
1. Factor each monomial:
4x3= 2 ∙2 ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x
8x2= 2 ∙2 ∙ 2∙ x ∙ x
2. Identify the common Factors
4x3= 2 ∙2 ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x
8x2= 2 ∙2 ∙ 2∙ x ∙ x
3. Find the product of the common factors
2 ∙2 ∙ x ∙ x =¿ 4x2
Hence, 4x2 is the GCMF of 4x3 and 8x2.
Example 2. Write 6x + 3x2 in factored form.
1. Determine the number of terms.
6x and 3x2
2. Determine the GCF of the numerical coefficients.

Coefficient Factors Common Factors GCF

6 1, 2, 3 1, 3 3
3 1, 3
 Quarter 1, Week 1

Determine the GCF of the variables. The GCF of the variables is the one with the
least exponent.
GCF (x , x2)= x
3. Find the product of GCF of the numerical coefficient and the variables.
(3) (x) = 3x
Hence , 3x is the GCMF of 6x and 3x2.
4. Find the other factor, by dividing each term of the polynomial 6x + 3x2 by the GCMF
3x.
6 x 3 x2
Divide each term by the GCMF 3x + 3x
3 x ∙2 3 x ∙ x ❑
Rewrite each term as a product 3 x + 3x
The other factor 2+x
5. Write the complete factored form
6x + 3x2 = 3x ( 2 + x)

Polynomial Greatest Common Quotient of Polynomial Factored Form

Monomial Factor and CMF
6m + 8 2 3m + 4 2(3m + 4)
2x -3xy x 2 + 3y x (2 -3y
12x3y5 – 20x5y2z 4x3y2 3y3 – 5x2z 4x y (3y3 – 5x2z)
3 2

B. FACTORING A DIFFERENCE OF TWO SQUARES

a2 – b2 = (a+b) (a-b)
To factor a difference of two squares, extract the square roots of the first and the second
terms and express the sum and the difference of the roots as factors.
Example 1. Factor 64 – x2.
Solution:
a. Since we know the square of 8 is 64 and the square of x is x2, then we can rewrite the
expression as;
64 – x2 = (8)2 – (x)2
b. Apply the formula a2 – b2 = (a+b) (a-b) to factorize expression;
64 – x2= (8+ x) (8-x)

Example 2. Factor x2 – 16.

Solution: a. Since we know the square of x is x2 and the square of 4 is 16, then we can
rewrite the expression as;
x2 – 16= (x)2 – (4)2
b. Apply the formula a2 – b2 = (a+b) (a-b) to factorize expression;
 Quarter 1, Week 1

x2 – 16= (x + 4) (x-4)
C. Factoring Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
The sum or difference of two cubes can be factored into a product of a binomial
times a trinomial.
Sum of two cubes Difference of Two Cubes
x3+ y3= (x +y) (x2-xy+y2) x3- y3= (x -y) (x2+xy+y2)

Example 1. Factor 27p3 + q3

Use the factorization of sum of cubes to rewrite.
27p3 + q3 = (3p)3+ (q)3
= (3p+q) [(3p)2 – 3pq + q2)
= (3p+q) (9p2 – 3pq + q2)
Example 2. Factor 40u3- 625v3
1. Factor out the GCF from the two terms.
40u3- 625v3 = 5 (8u3- 125v3)
2. Try to rewrite each of the terms in the binomial as a cube of an expression.
8u3- 125v3 = (2u)3- (5v)3
3. Use the factorization of difference of cubes to rewrite.
5 (8u3- 125v3) = 5 ((2u)3- (5v)3)
= 5 [ (2u-5v ) ((2u)2 + 10uv + (5v)2)]
= 5 (2u-5v) (4u2+ 10uv + 25v2)
D. Perfect Square Trinomials
An expression obtained from the square of a binomial equation is a perfect square
trinomial. An expression is said to be a perfect square trinomial if it takes the form ax2+ bx +
2
c and satisfies the condition b =4ac.
The perfect square trinomial takes the following forms :
(ax)2 + 2abx + b2 = (ax +b)2
(ax)2 - 2abx + b2 = (ax -b)2
Example 1. Factor x2 + 6x + 9
Solution: 1. Rewrite the expression x2 + 6x + 9 in the form a2 + 2ab + b2 as
x2 + 6x + 9 (x)2 + 2 (x) (3) + (3)2
2. Apply the formula of perfect square trinomial a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a+b)2 to the expression
x2 + 6x + 9 = (x)2 + 2 (x) (3) + (3)2
= (x+3)2
= ( x+ 3) (x+ 3)
 Quarter 1, Week 1

Example 2. Factor x2 + 8x + 16.

Solution: 1. Write the expression x2 + 8x + 16 as a2 + 2ab + b2
x2 + 8x + 16 (x)2 + 2 (x) (4) + (4)2
2. Apply the perfect square trinomial formula;
x2 + 8x + 16 = (x)2 + 2 (x) (4) + (4)2
= ( x+ 4)2
= (x+4) (x+4)
E. Factoring General Trinomials
General Trinomials can be classified into two (2) ways:
1. Trinomial in the form ax2 + bx + c, where a=1 ; and
2. Trinomial in the form of ax2 + bx + c , where a ≠ 1.
Recall that FOIL method is a method in multiplying binomial to the other binomial.
This method can help you determine the factors of the given expressions.
F- First terms
O- Outer terms
I – Inner terms
L – Last terms
Examples: F O I L
1. (x+ 1) (x+2) = x2 + 2x + x+ 2
= x2 +3x + 2
F O I L
2. (x- 2) (x-3) = x2 – 3x – 2x + 6
= x2 – 5x + 6
Example 1. Factor x2 – 5x + 6.
Solution: Step 1. Find two factors with a product equal to the last term ( c ) of the trinomial
and a sum equal to the middle term (b) of the trinomial.
Find two factors whose product is 6 (last term) and whose sum is -5 (middle term.
Product Sum
(-6) (-1) = 6 -6 – 1 = -7 This is the correct combination . So, (-3)
(-3) (-2) = 6 -3 -2 = -5 and (-2) are the factors.
Step 2. Write the factored form of the trinomial following the pattern ( x + first factor) ( x +
second factor.
x2 – 5x + 6 =( x-3) ( x-2)
Example 2. Factor 6x2 – 5x – 6.
 Quarter 1, Week 1

Solution: Step 1. Multiply the first term and the last term.
( 6x2) (-6) = - 36x2
Step 2. Get the possible factors of the product of the first term and the last term of the
trinomial in such a way that the sum will be equal to the second term of the trinomial.
Product Sum
(x) (-36x) = - 36x 2
x + (-36x) = -35x
(2x) (-18x)= - 36x2 2x + (-18x) = -16x
(3x) (-12x) = - 36x2 3x + (-12x) = -9x
(4x) (-9x) = - 36x 2
4x + (-9x) = -5x
This is the correct combination . So, 4x
(6x) (-6x) = - 36x2 6x + (-6x) = 0
and (-9x) are the factors.
Step 3. Replace the middle term in such a way that ax2+ bx + c = ax2 + nx + mx + c, where
nx and mx are the factors. Here, the factors are 4x and -9x.
6x2 - 5x – 6 = 6x2 + 4x -9x -6
Step 4. Group ax2 + nx + mx + c in this pattern ( ax2 + nx ) + ( mx + c).
(6x2 +4x ) – ( 9x + 6)
Step 5. Factor out the greatest common monomial factor of each group such that the same
binomial factor can be obtained.
(6x2 + 4x) = 2x (3x + 2)
-(9x + 6) = -3(3x+2)
Step 6. Combine the greatest common monomial factor of each group and multiply it to same
binomial factor obtained in step 5. The result serves as the factors of the trinomial.
(2x -3 ) ( 3x + 2)
So, 6x2 – 5x – 6 = (2x – 3) (3x + 2)
III. Directions: This learning activity sheet is designed and written to help you factor
polynomials comp letely using different techniques. Various activities are
specifically made for you to work independently and apply your prior knowledge
and skills in multiplying and dividing polynomials. Accomplish all the activities
required for you to acquire your learning goal. You are encouraged to use other
platforms in searching for further information on concepts and terms unfamiliar to
you or by consulting your teacher if you need to.
IV. Activity Proper
Activity 1. Break it Down!
Determine the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of each polynomial and write its factored
form. Write your answers on the box.
Polynomial GCMF Factored Form
1. 2x – 3xy
2. x2 + 2x
3. 10x2 – 5x3
4. 9ab3 + 6ab – 3a2b
5. 16m5n2 – 20m2n3 + 4mn
 Quarter 1, Week 1

Activity 2. We are Connected!

Match column A with column B. Find the factored form of the expressions from Column
A in column B. Write the letter of your answer on the space provided.
A B
_____1. z2 – 16 a. (x - 2) (x2 + 2x + 4 )
_____2. c2 - 81 b. (a+7) (a-7)
_____3. y 3 + 125 c. (x+2y) (x-2y)
_____4. 8x3- 64 d. (z-4) (z+4)
_____5. a2- 49 e. (c – 9) (c+9)
_____6. x3-8 f. (y + 5) (y2 – 5y + 25)
_____7. 2b2 - 8 g. (x+3) (x2 – 3x + 9)
_____8. x3 + 27 h. (b-2) (b+2)
_____9. 8d3+ 1 i. 8( x-2) (x2 + 2x + 4)
_____10. x2 – 4y2 j. 2 ( b-2) (b+2)
k. (2x +1) ( (4d2 – 2x + 1)

Activity 3. Perfect or Not?

Determine whether the given expressions are perfect square trinomials. Write P if it is a
perfect square trinomial and N if not. Write your answer before the number.
______1. x2 + 14xy + 49y2
______2. 36n2 -12n + 1
______3. o2 – 5o + 6
______4.100 + 50j + j2
______5.4b2 – 44b + 121
Activity 4. Complete me!
Fill in the blank of the given equation. Write your answer on the given blank.
1. b2 + 2b- 15 = ( b + 5) ( b - ___)
2. a2 +12a + 11 = ( a+ __ ) ( a + 11)
3. 2x2 – 10x – 48 = ___ ( x+ 3) ( x – 8)
4. 12 + c – c2 = (3+ c ) ( ____ - c)
5. 3y2 + y – 2 = (__– 2) ( y + 1)

V. Guide Questions
To summarize what you have learned in this lesson, answer the following questions:
a. How do you describe factoring polynomials in general?
b. What did you do to determine whether the given expressions is a perfect square?
perfect cubes?
 Quarter 1, Week 1

c. How did you factor perfect square trinomials and general trinomials?
d. Did you determine patterns in factoring polynomials?
e. Were you able to get the correct answers on the activities? If not, what difficulty did
you encounter?

VI. Reflection
In this lesson, I learned that
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

VII. Answer Key

Activity 1 Activity 2 Activity 3

GCMF Factored Form 1. d 1. P 2. P 3. N 4. P 5. P

2. e
1. X x(2-3y) 3. f Activity 4
2. X x(x+2) 4. i
3. 5x2 5x2 (2-x) 5. b 1. (-3) 2. 1 3. 2 4. 4 5.3y
4. 3ab 3ab (b2+ 2 – a) 6. a
5. 4mn 4mn(4m4-5mn2+ 1) 7. j
8. g
9. k
10. c

VIII. Links and/or Other References

You have achieved a certain level of competency in factoring polynomials completely
using this Learning Activity Sheets(LAS). If you have the opportunity to access the
following sites, you can explore these
https://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/greatest-common-factor.html
https://www.storyofmathematics.com/difference-of-squares
https://www.storyofmathematics.com/difference-of-squares
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/sum-and-difference-of-
cubes#:~:text=The%20sum%20or%20difference%20of,xy%2By2)%20.
 Quarter 1, Week 1

https://www.storyofmathematics.com/perfect-square-trinomial
https://www.storyofmathematics.com/factoring-trinomials
You may also read the following book to gain more knowledge and upgrade skills.
Emmanuel P. Abuzo, et.al.,2013. Mathematics 8 Learner’s Module, Reprint Edition,FEP
Printing Corporation.

IX. Prepared by: NONA JANE L. AMABAO-PACO

Teacher III-Gabi NHS