1. Factoring

2. Factoring expressions
Factoring an expression is the opposite of multiplying.
Applying the distributive law
a(b + c)
ab + ac
Factoring
Often:
Teacher notes
Point out that the word “factor” is used as a verb, e.g. “factor this expression” and also as a noun, e.g. “2 is a factor of this expression”.
When we apply the distributive law to an expression, we remove the parentheses.
When we factor an expression we write it with parentheses to indicate the factors.

3. Factoring expressions
Expressions can be factored by dividing each term by the greatest common factor and writing this outside of a set of parentheses.
For example, in the expression 5x + 10 the terms 5x and 10 have the greatest common factor 5.
We write the 5 outside of a set of parentheses:
5(x + 2)
5(x + 2)
Mentally divide 5x + 10 by 5:
Teacher notes
Encourage students to check this by multiplying the final expression 5(x + 2) to see if they get back to 5x + 10.
Mathematical Practices
7) Look for and make use of structure.
This slide demonstrates how factoring expressions tests a student’s ability to recognize the greatest common factor of a group of terms, then divide each term by this factor in their heads in order to figure out the contents of the parentheses.
(5x + 10) ÷ 5 = x + 2
This is written inside the parentheses.

4. Factoring expressions
Writing 5x + 10 as 5(x + 2) is called factoring the expression.
Factor 8a + 2
Factor 7n2 – 21n
The greatest common factor of 8a and 2 is
The greatest common factor of 7n2 and 21n is 2.
7n.
(8a + 2) ÷ 2 =
4a + 1
(7n2 – 21n) ÷ 7n =
n – 3
Teacher notes
Students should not normally write down the line involving division. This is done mentally. We can check the answer by using the distributive property to multiply out the parentheses.
Mathematical Practices
7) Look for and make use of structure.
To factor these expressions students should be able to recognize the greatest common factor of each term, then divide each term by this factor in their heads in order to figure out the contents of the parentheses and therefore write the expression in factored form.
8a + 2 =
2(4a + 1)
7n2 – 21n =
7n(n – 3)

5. Factoring by pairing
Some expressions containing four terms can be factored by regrouping the terms into pairs that share a common factor. For example:
Factor 4a + ab b
Two terms share a common factor of 4 and the remaining two terms share a common factor of b.
4a + ab b = 4a ab + b
Mathematical Practices
7) Look for and make use of structure.
This type of factoring requires students to spot pairs of terms containing common factors and group these terms in factored form. For expressions like the one on this slide, students may initially suggest grouping 4a and ab with common factor a, but should then realize that the remaining terms (4 and b) do not share a common factor and therefore look for an alternative grouping.
= 4(a + 1) + b(a + 1)
4(a + 1) and + b(a + 1) share a common factor of (a + 1) so we can factor the expression further as:
(a + 1)(4 + b)

6. Factoring by pairing Factor xy – 6 + 2y – 3x
We can regroup the terms in this expression into two pairs of terms that share a common factor.
When we take out a negative factor, the signs of the factored terms change.
xy – 6 + 2y – 3x = xy + 2y – 3x – 6
= y(x + 2) – 3(x + 2)
Teacher notes
This expression could also be written as xy – 3x + 2y – 6 to give x(y – 3) + 2(y – 3) = (y – 3)(x + 2).
Mathematical Practices
7) Look for and make use of structure.
This example can be factored by grouping in two different ways (both giving the same result). Students should be aware that there is not always one way to factor expressions like this, and be encouraged to find and show alternative methods, e.g. grouping 2y with –6 (common factor 2) and xy with –3x (common factor x).
y(x + 2) and –3(x + 2) share a common factor of (x + 2) so we can write this as:
(x + 2)(y – 3)

7. Yard plan
This plan shows a rectangular yard containing a circular pool. The yard has a width of 5x meters and a length of 7x meters. The pool has a radius of x meters. What is the area of the grass? Write your answer in factored form. Why might the factored form of the answer be useful?
Grass area = yard area – pool area
Yard area = width × length
Mathematical Practices
4) Model with mathematics.
This question is an example of a real-life situation requiring an answer in factored form. Students should be confident when working with variables and values such as π, and always remember to give their answer units where appropriate.
7) Look for and make use of structure.
Students should be familiar with recognizing when expressions like this can be factored and see how it could be used. Sometimes the factored form of an answer can be useful for further calculations, e.g. if the area of the grass was given and the radius of the fountain needed to be found, the factored form of the expression will allow students to solve for x.
Photo credits: water © Péter Gudella, Shutterstock.com 2012
grass © Beata Becla, Shutterstock.com 2012
= 5x × 7x
= 35x2 meters
Pool area = π × radius2
= πx2 meters
Grass area = 35x2 – πx2
= x2(35 – π) meters