GCSE Maths – Algebra

Factorising Linear and Quadratic Expressions

NOTES SOLUTIONS

This worksheet will show you how to factorise linear and quadratic
expressions. Each section contains a worked example, a question with hints
and then questions for you to work through on your own.

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 Section A

Worked Example

Factorise the expression 𝟑𝟑𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐 + 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗

Step 1: Write out the expression and work out the highest common numerical factor for the terms in
the expression. Factorise the HCF outside the brackets by dividing out each term.

For the expression 3𝑦𝑦 2 + 9𝑦𝑦 the highest common factor that goes into both terms is 3:

3𝑦𝑦 2 + 9𝑦𝑦 = 3(𝑦𝑦 2 + 3𝑦𝑦)

Step 2: Work out the highest power of 𝑦𝑦 that will go into both terms. Factorise this power of 𝑦𝑦
outside the brackets by dividing it out of each term.

For 3(𝑦𝑦 2 + 3𝑦𝑦), the highest power of 𝑦𝑦 that will go into both terms is 𝑦𝑦:

3𝑦𝑦 2 + 9𝑦𝑦 = 3(𝑦𝑦 2 + 3𝑦𝑦) = 3𝑦𝑦(𝑦𝑦 + 3)

So, the final factorised answer is 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑(𝒚𝒚 + 𝟑𝟑).

Step 3: Quick check. Multiply out the brackets to check that you successfully obtain the original
expression.
3𝑦𝑦(𝑦𝑦 + 3) = (3𝑦𝑦 × 𝑦𝑦) + (3𝑦𝑦 × 3) = 3𝑦𝑦 2 + 9𝑦𝑦

Guided Example

Factorise the expression 𝟖𝟖𝒂𝒂𝟑𝟑 − 𝟒𝟒𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐

Step 1: Write out the expression and work out the highest common numerical factor for each of the
terms in the expression. Factorise the HCF outside the brackets by dividing out each term.

Step 2: Work out highest power of 𝑎𝑎 that will go into both terms. Factorise this power of 𝑎𝑎 outside
the brackets by dividing it out of each term.

Step 3: Quick check. Multiply out the brackets to check that you successfully obtain the original
expression.

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

1. Factorise the following expressions:

a) 2𝑥𝑥 + 6

b) 5 − 10𝑧𝑧

c) −8𝑝𝑝 + 16𝑝𝑝

d) −6𝑒𝑒 3 − 18𝑒𝑒 2

e) −7𝑧𝑧 + 21𝑧𝑧 2

f) 2𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 714𝑦𝑦

g) −120𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦𝑧𝑧 + 3𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑧𝑧 2 + 9𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 2 𝑧𝑧

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h) 15𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 5𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑧𝑧 − 125𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦

i) 3𝑝𝑝3 𝑞𝑞 − 9𝑝𝑝𝑞𝑞 3 − 3𝑝𝑝𝑞𝑞 2

j) −5𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 7𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 10𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 𝑧𝑧

k) 6𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 + 18𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 − 3𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑔𝑔2

l) −48𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 2 𝑐𝑐 3 + 12𝑏𝑏 2 𝑐𝑐 3 − 18𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏 3 𝑐𝑐 2

m) 2𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 2 + 26𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 − 12𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 2

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 Section B

Worked Example

Factorise the expression 𝟒𝟒𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 − 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔

Step 1: Check if you can factorise the expression use the standard method. Check if there are any
common number factors that can be taken out and if there are any common letter factors
that are present in both terms.

For 4𝑥𝑥 2 − 64 there are common factors which can be taken out since 4 can be taken out as
a factor:
4𝑥𝑥 2 − 64 = 4(𝑥𝑥 2 − 16)

Step 2: Check if the expression is in the form of one squared term subtracted from another squared
term. If so, factorise using the difference of two squares (DOTS) general formula:

𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 − 𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 = (𝒂𝒂 + 𝒃𝒃)(𝒂𝒂 − 𝒃𝒃)

For the expression 4(𝑥𝑥 2 − 16), we have 4(𝑥𝑥 2 − 16) = 4 [(𝑥𝑥)2 − (4)2 ]

Using the DOTS general formula with 𝑎𝑎 = 𝑥𝑥, 𝑏𝑏 = 4 we get

4(𝑥𝑥 2 − 16) = 4 [(𝑥𝑥)2 − (4)2 ] = 4 [(𝑥𝑥 + 4) (𝑥𝑥 − 4)] = 4(𝑥𝑥 + 4)(𝑥𝑥 − 4)

So, the final factorised answer is 𝟒𝟒 (𝒙𝒙 + 𝟒𝟒)(𝒙𝒙 − 𝟒𝟒).

Guided Example

Factorise the expression 𝟗𝟗𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 − 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝒄𝒄𝟐𝟐

Step 1: Check if you can factorise the expression use the standard method. Check if there are any
common number factors that can be taken out and if there are any common letter factors
that are present in both terms.

Step 2: Check if the expression is in the form of one squared term subtracted from another squared
term. If so, factorise using the difference of two squares (DOTS) general formula:

𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 − 𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 = (𝒂𝒂 + 𝒃𝒃)(𝒂𝒂 − 𝒃𝒃)

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

2. Factorise the following expressions:

a) 𝑧𝑧 2 − 1

b) 4𝑝𝑝2 − 25𝑞𝑞 2

c) 16𝑠𝑠 2 − 49𝑡𝑡 2

d) 5𝑥𝑥 2 − 125𝑦𝑦 2

e) 2𝑝𝑝2 − 200𝑞𝑞 2

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 Section C

Worked Example

Factorise the expression 𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

Step 1: If necessary, rearrange the expression into the standard form of 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐.

This is not necessary here as it is already in the right form.

Step 2: Equate the expression to a pair of open brackets.

𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑥 + 12 = (𝑥𝑥 )(𝑥𝑥 )

Step 3: Identify the factors that multiply to give the ′𝑐𝑐′ value (the constant term) but also add to give
the ′𝑏𝑏′ value (the coefficient of 𝑥𝑥).

𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑥 + 12

1 × 12 = 12 and 1 + 12 = 13
−1 × −12 = 12 and −1 + −12 = −13
2 × 6 = 12 and 2 + 6 = 8
−2 × −6 = 12 and −2 + −6 = −8
3 × 4 = 12 and 3 + 4 = 7
−3 × −4 = 12 and −3 + −4 = −7

The pair of numbers 3 and 4 give the product of 𝑐𝑐 = 12 and sum of 𝑏𝑏 = 7.

Step 4: Write these values in the spaces in the brackets.

𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑥 + 12 = (𝑥𝑥 + 𝟑𝟑)(𝑥𝑥 + 𝟒𝟒)

Step 5: Quick check. Expanding the brackets should obtain the original quadratic expression.

(𝑥𝑥 + 𝟑𝟑)(𝑥𝑥 + 𝟒𝟒) = 𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 12 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑥 + 12

It is indeed correct, so the final answer is

𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 = (𝒙𝒙 + 𝟑𝟑)(𝒙𝒙 + 𝟒𝟒)

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 Guided Example

Factorise the following expression: 𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

Step 1: If necessary, rearrange the expression into the standard form.

Step 2: Equate the expression to a pair of open brackets.

Step 3: Identify the factors that multiply to give the ′𝑐𝑐′ value (the constant term) but also add to give
the ′𝑏𝑏′ value (the coefficient of 𝑥𝑥).

Step 4: Write these values in the spaces in the brackets.

Step 5: Quick check. Expanding the brackets should obtain the original quadratic expression.

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

3. Factorise the following expressions:

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 4

b) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 + 2

c) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 10𝑥𝑥 + 21

d) −5𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 24

e) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 30 − 11𝑥𝑥

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 Section D

Worked Example

Factorise the expression 𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 + 𝟐𝟐

Step 1: If necessary, rearrange the expression into the standard form of 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐.

This is not necessary here as it is already in the right form.

Step 2: Multiply ′𝑎𝑎′ with ′𝑐𝑐′ and call this value 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎.

𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 3 × 2 = 6

Step 3: Write the factors of 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 that will also add to give the 𝑏𝑏 value.

1 × 6 = 6 and 1 + 6 = 7
−1 × −6 = −6 and −1 + −6 = −7
2 × 3 = 6 and 2 + 3 = 5
−2 × −3 = 6 and −2 + −3 = −5

The pair of numbers 1 and 6 will add to give the value of 7 which is the ′𝑏𝑏′ value.

Step 4: Write these values as the coefficients of separate 𝑥𝑥 terms.

So, we will write 1 and 6 as 𝑥𝑥 and 6𝑥𝑥.

Step 5: Write the original expression but with these 𝑥𝑥 values as shown above replacing (splitting
up) the 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 term.
3𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 + 6𝑥𝑥 + 2

Step 6: Split the above quadratic into two different parts by grouping one of the 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 terms with the
first quadratic term and the other with the last constant term.

3𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝒙𝒙 + 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 + 𝟐𝟐

Step 7: Factorise each half of the expression separately.

3𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑥𝑥(3𝑥𝑥 + 1)
6𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 2(3𝑥𝑥 + 1)

So, 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 + 6𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝒙𝒙 + 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 + 𝟐𝟐 = 𝒙𝒙(𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 + 𝟏𝟏) + 𝟐𝟐(𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 + 𝟏𝟏)

Each bracket formed above is identical which indicates we have done it right.

Step 8: Write the expression as the product of two brackets. The first bracket will be equal to the
common bracket in both factorisations. The second bracket will be made up of the
coefficient terms of each of these identical brackets.

3𝑥𝑥 2 + 1𝑥𝑥 + 6𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 𝒙𝒙(𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 + 𝟏𝟏) + 𝟐𝟐(𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 + 𝟏𝟏) = 𝒙𝒙(3𝑥𝑥 + 1) + 𝟐𝟐(3𝑥𝑥 + 1) = (𝒙𝒙 + 𝟐𝟐)(3𝑥𝑥 + 1)

Step 9: Quick check. Expanding the brackets should obtain the original quadratic expression.

(𝑥𝑥 + 2)(3𝑥𝑥 + 1) = 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 + 6𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑥 + 2

It is indeed correct, so the final answer is 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟐𝟐 + 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 = (𝒙𝒙 + 𝟐𝟐)(𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 + 𝟏𝟏)

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 Guided Example

Factorise the following expression: 𝟒𝟒𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

Step 1: If necessary, rearrange the expression into the standard form of 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐.

Step 2: Multiply ′𝑎𝑎′ with ′𝑐𝑐′ and call this value 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎.

Step 3: Write the factors of 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 that will also multiply to give the 𝑏𝑏 value.

Step 4: Write these values as the coefficients of separate 𝑥𝑥 terms.

Step 5: Write the original expression but with these 𝑥𝑥 values as shown above replacing (splitting up)
the 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 term.

Step 6: We will split the above into two different expressions.

Step 7: Factorise each half of the expression separately.

Step 8: Write the expression as the product of two brackets. The first bracket will be equal to the
common bracket in both factorisations. The second bracket will be made up of the
coefficient terms of each of these identical brackets.

Step 9: Quick check. Expanding the brackets should obtain the original quadratic expression.

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

4. Factorise the following expressions:

a) 2𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 + 1

b) 7𝑥𝑥 2 − 39𝑥𝑥 + 20

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c) 18𝑥𝑥 2 + 42𝑥𝑥 + 12

d) 40𝑥𝑥 2 + 38𝑥𝑥 − 12

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