Example

Factoring ab+7b+8a+56ab + 7b + 8a + 56

Factor the polynomial ab+7b+8a+56ab + 7b + 8a + 56 using the grouping method. Since no single factor is common to all four terms, split the polynomial into two groups: (ab+7b)(ab + 7b) and (8a+56)(8a + 56). Factor the GCF out of each group. For the first group, the GCF is bb, resulting in b(a+7)b(a + 7). For the second group, the GCF is 88, resulting in 8(a+7)8(a + 7). The expression becomes b(a+7)+8(a+7)b(a + 7) + 8(a + 7). Both terms now share the binomial factor (a+7)(a + 7). Factoring out this common binomial gives (a+7)(b+8)(a + 7)(b + 8). Multiplying the factors verifies the result: (a+7)(b+8)=ab+8a+7b+56(a + 7)(b + 8) = ab + 8a + 7b + 56, which is equivalent to the original polynomial.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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