New Zealand
Level 6 - NCEA Level 1

# Factorise algebraic factors

Lesson

We've previously learnt how to factorise both algebraic and numeric terms from expressions. Now we are going to look at expressions where the highest common factor (HCF) may consist of more than one pronumeral, or even a linear factor. Let's look at some examples below.

#### Example 1

Factorise $6pqr+18pqz$6pqr+18pqz

 $6p^2qr+18pqz$6p2qr+18pqz $=$= $6\left(p^2qr+3pqz\right)$6(p2qr+3pqz)     Take out the highest numerical factor $=$= $6pq\left(pr+3z\right)$6pq(pr+3z)         Take out the highest common powers of each pronumeral

Since there was a $q$q present in both terms, as well as a single power of $p$p, we were able to pull both of these out of the expression as factors.

#### More examples

##### Question 1

Factorise the following expression by taking out the highest common factor:

$9x^2y^2z-18xyz$9x2y2z18xyz

##### Question 2

Factorise the following expression:

$pqr+p^2q^2r+p^3q^3r$pqr+p2q2r+p3q3r

##### Question 3

Factorise $9r^2t^2v^3+6r^3tv-12rt^3v^2$9r2t2v3+6r3tv12rt3v2.

### Outcomes

#### NA6-6

Generalise the properties of operations with rational numbers, including the properties of exponents

#### 91027

Apply algebraic procedures in solving problems