Factorising
Edexcel GCSE Maths revision on Factorising. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics 1MA1 specification. This bank has 16 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 16)
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Question 1
Factorise 6x + 9.
- A) 3(x + 3)
- B) 3(2x + 3)
- C) 6(x + 9)
- D) 3(2x + 9)
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Answer: 3(2x + 3)
Find the HCF of 6x and 9: it's 3. Then 6x + 9 = 3(2x + 3). Check by expanding: 3 x 2x = 6x; 3 x 3 = 9.
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Question 2
Factorise x^2 + 5x + 6.
- A) (x+2)(x+3)
- B) (x+1)(x+6)
- C) (x-2)(x-3)
- D) (x+5)(x+6)
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Answer: (x+2)(x+3)
For x^2 + bx + c, find two numbers with PRODUCT c (=6) and SUM b (=5). 2 x 3 = 6, 2 + 3 = 5. So x^2 + 5x + 6 = (x+2)(x+3).
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Question 3
Factorise x^2 - 9.
- A) (x-3)(x+3)
- B) (x-3)^2
- C) (x+9)(x-1)
- D) (x-9)(x+1)
Show answer
Answer: (x-3)(x+3)
Difference of two squares: x^2 - 9 = x^2 - 3^2 = (x-3)(x+3). Recognise this pattern - very common.
Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?
13 more questions on Factorising — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Maths spec.