Factorising three or more terms into one bracket
Take one common factor out of every term in a longer expression.
- Find a factor shared by every term, not just the first two.
- Use the highest common numerical factor and the smallest shared letter powers.
- Divide each term in order and put all the results in one bracket.
Example 1
Factorise into a single bracket. Divide every term by the highest common factor,
Example 2
Factorise into a single bracket. Divide every term by the highest common factor,
Remember
Check all three or four terms when expanding back. A common factor must divide every term exactly.
Your turn
Factorise into a single bracket.
Check answer
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.
Factorise into a single bracket.
Check answer
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.
Factorise into a single bracket.
Check answer
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.
Factorise into a single bracket.
Check answer
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.
Factorise into a single bracket.
Check answer
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.
Factorise into a single bracket.
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.
Factorise into a single bracket.
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.
Factorise into a single bracket.
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.
Factorise into a single bracket.
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.
Factorise into a single bracket.
Multiply the outside factor by every term inside to check the original expression.