AS/A2 Pure 2 Pure 3

P1 Topic 2: Algebra
Factorising
The interactive displays below shows you to use "empty" brackets to factorise a quadratic function. At some steps in this process there may be a choice as to which numbers or terms you use (bearing in mind that 12 = 1x12, 12x1, 2x6, 6x2, 3x4 and 4x3 for example). Essentially, any quadratic function can only be factorised one way. One way of doing this is shown below. There may be other ways. Look at the status bar at the bottom to see a description of each step.

Summary The ability to factorise quadratic functions is essential to making sound progress in advanced level mathematics. It is a skill. You get better with practise. This page uses WebEQ. To speed up downloading you can install this WebEQ Math Viewer . Click on the Math Viewer icon and you will be taken to the download site.