How to Factor Variable Expressions

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Factorization means “rewriting an expression as a multiplication problem.” When you factorize an expression containing variables, you apply the rules of parentheses in reverse. This means that instead of multiplying something into parentheses, you create parentheses to place something on the outside.

Rule

Moving a Factor Outside Parentheses

ab + ac = a(b + c)

To understand how to factorize an expression with variables, you have to be in full control of the times tables, how to multiply numbers and variables, and the difference between a term and its factors.

Rule

Factorizing an Expression with Variables

1.
Factorize all the terms to find common factors.
2.
Place the factors that are common for all the terms in front of a set of parentheses.
3.
Write the remaining factors of the terms inside the parentheses.

You can always check whether you factorized correctly by expanding the parentheses and comparing the result to what you started with.

Example 1

Factorize the expression 2x + 4

2x + 4 = 2 x + 2 2 = 2(x + 2)

Example 2

Factorize the expression 3x 9

3x 9 = 3 x 3 3 = 3(x 3)

Example 3

Factorize the expression 4x3 + 8x2 16x

= 4x3 + 8x2 16x = 4 x x x + 4 2 x x 4 4 x = 4x(x2 + 2x 4)

4x3 + 8x2 16x = 4 x x x + 4 2 x x 4 4 x = 4x(x2 + 2x 4)

Example 4

Factorize the expression 5ab 10b

5ab 10b = 5b a 5b 2 = 5b(a 2)

Remember, you can always place the sign outside the parentheses as well! Example 5 shows you how this is done.

Example 5

Factorize the expression x2 x

x2 x = x x + x 1 = x(x + 1)

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