±«Óătv

Factorising an algebraic expressionFactorising quadratics

Factorising an expression is to write it as a product of its factors. There are 4 methods: common factor, difference of two squares, trinomial/quadratic expression and completing the square.

Part of MathsAlgebraic skills

Factorising quadratics

Watch this video to learn about factorising quadratics.

Common factor

To an expression, rewrite it as a product of factors.

Thinking back to removing brackets, the answer is now the question and the question is now the answer.

We could ask the question, 'What was it before the brackets were removed?'

A good idea when factorising is to multiply out the brackets once you've got an answer to find that the answer matches with the question.

If it doesn't, then you'll know there's something wrong.

Example

Factorise \(10 + 4x\)

The first thing to do is find the highest common factor (H.C.F) of \(10\) and \(4x\).

This will tell us the term that will go outside the bracket.

The Highest Common Factor (H.C.F.) = 2.

\(10 + 4x = 2(... + ...)\)

To get the terms inside the bracket, find \(2 \times ? = 10\) and then \(2 \times ? = 4x\).

This is \(5\) and \(2x\) respectively:

So \(10+4x=2(5+2x)\)

Remember to multiply out the brackets now to check that the answer is correct.

Now try the example questions below.

Question

Factorise \(6a - 9\)

Question

Factorise \(15 + 10x\)

Question

Factorise \(x^{2}+5x\)

Question

Factorise \(3{a^2} - 12a\)

Question

Factorise \(20xy - 6x\)

Question

Factorise \(20{y^2} - 5y\)

Next page
Difference of two squares

More guides on this topic

Related links