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SubjectFree lesson

Factorization 2

ClassNotes Team 3 MIN READUPDATED 5 JUL 2026

Mathematics J.S.S 3 Second Term

Theme: Algebraic Process

Sub Theme: Algebraic Operation

WEEK 2

Factorization 2

Performance Objectives

Students should be able to;

  1. Solve word problems involving factorization
  2. Solve simple equations involving factorization
  3. Factorize completely

Word problems involving factorization

Content

Examples

  1. The sum of a number and its square is 72. Find the number.

Solution

 Let x be a number

x2 + x = 72

x2 + x – 72 = 0

(x + 9)(x - 8) = 0

x + 9 = 0 or x - 8 = 0

x = -9 or x = 8

The number is -9 or 8.

 

2. If you square 5 more than a positive number, the result is 88 more than 12 times the number. Find the number.

Solution

   Let x +ve number

(x + 5)2  = 12x + 88

 x2 + 10x + 25 = 12x + 88

x2 - 2x - 63 = 0

(x - 9)(x + 7)  = 0

x - 9 = 0         or      x + 7 = 0

x = 9              or      x = -7

The number is 9.

3. The sum of two numbers is 12 and the sum of their squares is 80. Find the numbers.

        Solution

* Let x 1st number

x2 + (12 - x)2 = 80

12 - x 2nd number

x2 + 144 - 24x + x2 = 80

2x2 - 24x + 64 = 0

x2 - 12x + 32 = 0

(x - 8)(x - 4) = 0

x - 8 = 0  or x - 4 = 0

x = 8 or x = 4

The numbers are 4, 8.

4. The length of a rectangle is 4 cm more than its width. The area of the rectangle is 96 sq. cm. Find its dimensions.

Solution

* Let x width and x + 4 length

x(x + 4) = 96

x2 + 4x = 96

x2 + 4x - 96 = 0

(x + 12)(x - 8) = 0

x = -12 or  x = 8

The dimensions are: width 8 cm, length 12 cm

5. One number is 3 more than another. The sum of their squares is 149. Find the numbers.

Solution

* Let x 1st number and x + 3 2nd number

x2 + (x + 3)2 = 149

x2 + x2 + 6x + 9 = 149

2x2 + 6x - 140 = 0

x2 + 3x - 70 = 0

(x + 10)(x - 7) = 0

x + 10 = 0 or x - 7 = 0

x = -10 or x = 7

The numbers are: -10, -7 or 7, 10

6. The sum of the squares of two consecutive positive even integers is 340. Find the integers.

Solution

 * Let x +ve number and x + 2 +ve number

x2 + (x + 2)2 = 340

x2 + x2 + 4x + 4 = 340

2x2 + 4x - 336 =0

x2 + 2x - 168 = 0

(x + 14)(x - 12) = 0

x + 14 = 0 or  x - 12 = 0

x =-14 or x = 12

The numbers are 12, 14