Section 6-11
Factoring by Grouping
Sometimes, you can group the terms of a polynomial so that two groups are
multiples of the same smaller polynomial. WARNING: this kind
of factoring requires a sharp eye!
Example:
Factor the polynomial.
x3 + 3x2 +
4x + 12
The first two terms and the last two terms are both multiples of x2 +
3. So group them separately.
x3 + 3x2 + 4 x + 12 =
(x3 + 3x2) + (4x + 12)
Factor an x2 out of the first group and a 4 out of the
second group.
= x2(x + 3) + 4(x + 3)
Now use the distributive law.
= (x2 + 4)(x + 3)
Some polynomials may contain hidden difference-of-squares
patterns.
Example:
Factor the polynomial.
9p2– r2 + q2 – 6pq
There is a hidden trinomial square here, in the first, third, and fourth terms.
= (9p2 – 6pq + q2)
– r2
= (3p – q)2– r2
Now we have a difference of squares.
= (3p – q + r) (3p – q – r)