
## SectionSolving Polynomial Equations by Factoring

### SubsectionReviewing General Factoring Strategies

We have learned various techniques for factoring polynomials with up to four terms. The challenge is to identify the type of polynomial and then decide which method to apply. The following outlines a general guideline for factoring polynomials:

1. Check for common factors. If the terms have common factors, then factor out the greatest common factor (GCF).

2. If there are no common factors, determine the number of terms in the polynomial.

1. If the polynomial has four terms, try to factor by grouping.

2. If it is a trinomial (3 terms), try using the $ac$ method.

3. If it is a binomial (2 terms), check if it is a difference of squares.

3. Look for factors that can be factored further.

4. Check by multiplying.

If an expression has a GCF, then factor this out first. Doing so is often overlooked and typically results in factors that are easier to work with. Furthermore, look for the resulting factors to factor further; many factoring problems require more than one step. A polynomial is completely factored when none of the factors can be factored further.

If none of these techniques work, it might be the case that the polynomial is prime, or does not factor.

### SubsectionSolving Polynomial Equations by Factoring

In this section, we will review a technique that can be used to solve certain polynomial equations. We begin with the zero product property:

\begin{gather*} a\cdot b=0 \text{ if and only if }a=0\text{ or }b=0 \end{gather*}

The zero-product property is true for any number of factors that make up an equation. In other words, if any product is equal to zero, then at least one of the variable factors must be equal to zero. If an expression is equal to zero and can be factored into linear factors, then we will be able to set each factor equal to zero and solve each equation.

###### Example156

Solve $2x(x-4)(5x+3)=0\text{.}$

Solution

We set each variable factor equal to zero and solve.

OR

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} x-4\amp= 0\\ x\amp =4 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

OR

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} 5x+3\amp= 0\\ 5x\amp = -3\\ \frac{5x}{\alert{5}}\amp =\frac{-3}{\alert{5}}\\ x\amp = -\frac{3}{5} \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

To check that these are solutions we can substitute back into the original equation to see if we obtain a true statement. Note that each solution produces a zero factor.

The solutions are $x=0,4,-\frac{3}{5}\text{.}$

Of course, most equations will not be given in factored form.

###### Example157

Solve $x^2-2x-35=0\text{.}$

Solution

We will first factor $x^2-2x-35$ using the $ac$-method.

Here $a=1,\, b=-2\text{,}$ and $c=-35\text{.}$

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} ac=1(-35)=-35 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

Now we factor $-35\text{,}$ and search for factors whose sum is $-2\text{.}$

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} -35\amp = -1(35)\\ \amp = -5(7)\\ \amp = \alert{-7(5)}\\ \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

In this case, the sum of the factors $-7$ and $5$ equals the middle coefficient, $-2\text{.}$ Therefore, $-2x=5x-7x\text{,}$ and we can write

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} x^2-2x-35+6=x^2+5x-7x-35. \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

We factor the equivalent expression by grouping.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} x^2-2x-35+6\amp =x^2+5x-7x-35\\ \amp = x(x+5)-7(x+5)\\ \amp = (x+5)(x-7) \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

Our factored form is $(x+5)(x-7)\text{.}$ Now we can use the zero factor property to solve by setting each variable factor equal to zero.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} x+5\amp= 0\\ x\amp =-5 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

OR

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} x-7\amp= 0\\ x\amp =7 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

To check that these are solutions we can substitute back into the original equation to see if we obtain a true statement. Note that each solution produces a zero factor.

The solutions are $x=-5,7\text{.}$

Solve $x^2-8x-33=0\text{.}$

Using the zero-product property after factoring an expression that is equal to zero is the key to this technique. However, the expression may not be given equal to zero, and so there may be some preliminary steps before factoring. The steps required to solve by factoring are outlined in the following example.

###### Example159

Solve $15x^2+3x-8=5x-7\text{.}$

Solution

We will first express the equation in standard form, with zero on the right hand side.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} 15x^2+3x-8\amp =5x-7\\ 15x^2-5x+3x-8+7\amp =0\\ 15x^2-2x-1\amp =0 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

Now we can factor.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} (3x-1)(5x+1)=0 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

Now we can use the zero factor property to solve by setting each variable factor equal to zero.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} 3x-1\amp= 0\\ 3x\amp =1\\ x\amp =\frac{1}{3} \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

OR

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} 5x+1\amp= 0\\ 5x\amp =-1\\ x\amp=-\frac{1}{5} \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

To check that these are solutions we can substitute back into the original equation to see if we obtain a true statement. Note that each solution produces a zero factor.

The solutions are $x=\frac{1}{3},-\frac{1}{5}\text{.}$

Solve $(3x+2)(x+1)=4\text{.}$

### SubsectionFinding Roots of Functions

Any polynomial with one variable is a function and can be written in the form,

\begin{equation*} f(x)=a_nx^n+a_{n-1}x^{n-1}+\cdots +a_1x+a_0. \end{equation*}

A root of a function is a value in the domain that results in zero. In other words, the roots occur when the function is equal to zero, $f(x)=0\text{.}$

###### Example161

Find the roots of $f(x)=(x+2)^2-4\text{.}$

Solution

To find the roots we set the function equal to zero and solve.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} f(x)\amp = 0\\ (x+2)^2-4\amp =0\\ x^2+4x+4-4\amp =0\\ x^2+4x\amp =0\\ x(x+4)\amp =0 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

Next, we set each factor equal to zero and solve.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} x=0 \: \: \: \: \: \amp \text{ or }\amp x+4\amp =0\\ \amp\amp x\amp = -4 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

We can show that these $x$-values are roots by evaluating.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} f(0)\amp = (0+2)^2-4\\ \amp =4-4\\ \amp =0 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}
\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} f(-4)\amp = (-4+2)^2-4\\ \amp =(-2)^2-4\\ \amp =4-4\\ \amp =0 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

The roots are $0$ and $-4\text{.}$

If we graph the function in the previous example we will see that the roots correspond to the $x$-intercepts of the function. Here the function $f$ is a basic parabola shifted 2 units to the left and 4 units down. Note: Shifts will be covered later but we include the description here so you can get used to the language.

###### Example162

Find the roots of $f(x)=-x^2+10x-25\text{.}$

Solution

To find the roots we set the function equal to zero and solve.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} f(x)\amp = 0\\ -x^2+10x-25\amp =0\\ -(x^2-10x+25)\amp =0\\ -(x-5)(x-5)\amp =0\\ \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

Next, we set each variable factor equal to zero and solve.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} x-5\amp=0\: \: \: \: \: \amp \text{ or }\: \: \: \: \: x-5\amp =0\\ x\amp =5\amp x\amp = 5. \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

A solution that is repeated twice is called a double root. The double root is $5\text{.}$

The previous example shows that a function of degree $2$ can have one root. From the factoring step, we see that the function can be written

\begin{equation*} f(x)=-(x-5)^2. \end{equation*}

As we see below, the vertex on the graph is the $x$-intercept, illustrating the fact that there is only one root.

Solve $(6x-5)(x+7)=0\text{.}$

Solve $(6x+1)(x+1)=6\text{.}$

Solve $4x^2+5x-5=15(3-2x)\text{.}$

###### Example166

Assuming dry road conditions and average reaction times, the safe stopping distance in feet is given by $d(x)=\frac{1}{20}x^2+x\text{,}$ where $x$ represents the speed of the car in miles per hour. Determine the safe speed of the car if you expect to stop in $40$ feet.

Solution

We are asked to find the speed $x$ where the safe stopping distance is $d(x)=40$ feet.

\begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} d(x)\amp = 40\\ \frac{1}{20}x^2+x\amp =40 \end{aligned} \end{equation*}

To solve for $x\text{,}$ we rewrite the resulting equation in standard form. In this case, we will first multiply both sides by $20$ to clear the fraction.

Since the negative answer does not make sense in the context of this problem, we consider $x=20$ miles per hour to be the only solution.