Factorisation examples
Use these examples to review the structure of common factorisation questions before trying your own expression in the app.
What this topic means and what to look for first.
Factorising means rewriting an expression as a product of simpler brackets or factors.
In algebra, this often helps you solve equations faster.
One reliable route through the topic.
- 1Check for a common factor first.
- 2For quadratics, look for two numbers that multiply to the constant term and add to the middle coefficient.
- 3Rewrite the expression as brackets.
- 4Expand the brackets again to check the factorisation is correct.
See the method in action.
x^2 + 7x + 10
- Look for two numbers that multiply to 10 and add to 7.
- Those numbers are 5 and 2.
- So the factorisation is (x + 5)(x + 2).
3x + 12
- Take out the common factor 3.
- This gives 3(x + 4).
Things that commonly send the method off track.
- Choosing numbers that multiply correctly but do not add to the middle term.
- Forgetting to check for a common factor first.
Want to test your own problem next?
Use the public page first, then create a free account if you want to try the solver beta on a typed question or photo.
A free account is the current follow-up route for returning to the solver beta and future guide updates as the public library grows.
Want to try a similar problem yourself?
Create a free account if you want to use the solver beta after reading the guide.
A free account is the current follow-up route for returning to the solver beta and future guide updates as the public library grows.
Extra algebra revision resources
If you want more printed algebra practice after this page, these broader searches are a sensible next step.
Amazon
Algebra workbook and revision book search
Useful if you want more equation, factorising, and worked-example practice in one printed source.
View Algebra workbook and revision book searchAmazon
GCSE algebra practice resources search
A wider GCSE-style search if you want more mixed algebra questions beyond one online guide.
View GCSE algebra practice resources searchFound this useful?
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Short answers worth checking.
Use another method such as the quadratic formula or completing the square.
Factorising helps you simplify expressions and solve equations more quickly.
Continue with the next closely related topic.
Use the public site structure first, then switch into the solver tool only if you need a direct test.
CureMath uses artificial intelligence to suggest how a maths problem could potentially be solved. AI can make mistakes.
Check important answers independently before relying on them.