IGCSE Maths / Working with algebra

Factorising quadratics of the form x squared plus bx plus c

Edexcel International GCSE Maths (4MA1), chapter 4: Working with algebra, specification point 2.2b. Part of the full course.

Read the revision notes · IGCSE Maths past papers

Factorising a quadratic means writing it as a product of two brackets. To choose the numbers in the brackets, find a pair that multiplies to the last number and adds to the middle coefficient.

More lessons in Working with algebra

• Order of operations
• Collecting like terms
• Substituting into expressions and formulae
• Index laws with algebraic terms
• Fractional indices
• Expanding a single bracket
• Expanding double brackets
• Expanding triple brackets
• Factorising with a common factor
• Factorising with a coefficient
• Difference of two squares
• Writing and deriving a formula
• Changing the subject of a formula
• When the subject has a power on it