Module 1: Algebraic Fractions 3

XSIQ
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Algebra - Grouping two and two

Grouping two and two

Grouping two and two (pairs) can be used to factorise algebraic
expressions with four terms (term 1 + term 2 + term 3 + term 4).

Look for a common factor in each pair of terms (Step 1), and be aware that
it will usually be a different common factor for each pair of terms (Step
2).

After the two different common factors are taken out of each pair of
terms, the expressions remaining in brackets in each of the two pairs
should be identical (Step 3). The identical expression in both brackets is
the "common factor linking" all four terms.

The two different common factors that were taken out of each pair of terms
can then be combined in brackets to form a "new expression" that will
become the second factor linking all four terms.

The "linking common factor" and the "new expression" are the common
factors that allow the original algebraic expression of four terms to be
factorised into the product of two factors (Step 4).

term 1 + term 2 + term 3 + term 4 = (linking common factor)(new
expression)

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