NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Maths Exercise 2.4 Question 4

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Maths Exercise 2.4 Question 4

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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Maths Exercise 2.4 Question 4 | AskFarhan

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Maths Exercise 2.4 Question 4

ncert solutions for Class 9 Maths Chapter 2 Polynomials — Exercise 2.4 Question 4 provides complete step-by-step factorisation of four quadratic polynomials using the splitting the middle term method, fully aligned with the CBSE 2025-26 curriculum. Official NCERT Website

✓ Verified by Experts

Understanding the Question

In this question, we are asked to factorise four quadratic polynomials of the form &&ax^2 + bx + c&&. The key technique used here is splitting the middle term, which is a fundamental algebraic skill tested in CBSE Class 9 board examinations. Each polynomial is broken down into two binomial factors by finding two numbers whose product is &&a \times c&& and whose sum is &&b&&.

Question 4: Factorise the following expressions:
(i) &&12x^2 – 7x + 1&&
(ii) &&2x^2 + 7x + 3&&
(iii) &&6x^2 + 5x – 6&&
(iv) &&3x^2 – x – 4&&

📚 Expert’s Approach — Strategy Overview

For each quadratic &&ax^2 + bx + c&&, we apply the Splitting the Middle Term method:

  1. Compute the product &&a \times c&&.
  2. Find two integers &&p&& and &&q&& such that &&p \times q = a \times c&& and &&p + q = b&&.
  3. Rewrite the middle term &&bx&& as &&px + qx&&.
  4. Group the four terms into two pairs and factor each pair.
  5. Extract the common binomial factor to obtain the final factorised form.

This method is equivalent to reversing the FOIL expansion and is the standard NCERT-approved approach for Class 9 quadratic factorisation. BYJU’S CueMath TiwaraAcademy


Part (i): Factorise &&12x^2 – 7x + 1&&

Step 1 — Identify coefficients:
Here, &&a = 12&&, &&b = -7&&, &&c = 1&&.
Compute &&a \times c = 12 \times 1 = 12&&.
Step 2 — Find the split:
We need two numbers &&p&& and &&q&& such that:
&&p \times q = 12&& and &&p + q = -7&&.
The numbers are &&-4&& and &&-3&&, because &&(-4) \times (-3) = 12&& and &&(-4) + (-3) = -7&&.
Step 3 — Split the middle term:
&&12x^2 – 7x + 1&&
&&= 12x^2 – 4x – 3x + 1&&
Step 4 — Group and factor:
&&= 4x(3x – 1) – 1(3x – 1)&&
The common binomial factor is &&(3x – 1)&&.
&&= (4x – 1)(3x – 1)&&

✓ Result: &&12x^2 – 7x + 1 = (4x – 1)(3x – 1)&&

⚠ Caution: Do not confuse the signs when grouping. Always check: &&(-1)(3x – 1) = -3x + 1&&, which is correct.

Source: BYJU’S NCERT Solutions Ex 2.4 CueMath Class 9 Ch 2


Part (ii): Factorise &&2x^2 + 7x + 3&&

Step 1 — Identify coefficients:
Here, &&a = 2&&, &&b = 7&&, &&c = 3&&.
Compute &&a \times c = 2 \times 3 = 6&&.
Step 2 — Find the split:
We need &&p \times q = 6&& and &&p + q = 7&&.
The numbers are &&6&& and &&1&&, because &&6 \times 1 = 6&& and &&6 + 1 = 7&&.
Step 3 — Split the middle term:
&&2x^2 + 7x + 3&&
&&= 2x^2 + 6x + x + 3&&
Step 4 — Group and factor:
&&= 2x(x + 3) + 1(x + 3)&&
The common binomial factor is &&(x + 3)&&.
&&= (2x + 1)(x + 3)&&

✓ Result: &&2x^2 + 7x + 3 = (2x + 1)(x + 3)&&

⚠ Caution: Verify by expanding: &&(2x + 1)(x + 3) = 2x^2 + 6x + x + 3 = 2x^2 + 7x + 3&& ✓

Source: BYJU’S NCERT Solutions Ex 2.4 TiwaraAcademy Ch 2 Ex 2.4


Part (iii): Factorise &&6x^2 + 5x – 6&&

Step 1 — Identify coefficients:
Here, &&a = 6&&, &&b = 5&&, &&c = -6&&.
Compute &&a \times c = 6 \times (-6) = -36&&.
Step 2 — Find the split:
We need &&p \times q = -36&& and &&p + q = 5&&.
The numbers are &&9&& and &&-4&&, because &&9 \times (-4) = -36&& and &&9 + (-4) = 5&&.
Step 3 — Split the middle term:
&&6x^2 + 5x – 6&&
&&= 6x^2 + 9x – 4x – 6&&
Step 4 — Group and factor:
&&= 3x(2x + 3) – 2(2x + 3)&&
The common binomial factor is &&(2x + 3)&&.
&&= (3x – 2)(2x + 3)&&

✓ Result: &&6x^2 + 5x – 6 = (3x – 2)(2x + 3)&&

⚠ Caution: When &&c&& is negative, the product &&a \times c&& is negative, so one of &&p, q&& must be negative. Be careful with sign selection.

Source: BYJU’S NCERT Solutions Ex 2.4 CueMath Class 9 Ch 2


Part (iv): Factorise &&3x^2 – x – 4&&

Step 1 — Identify coefficients:
Here, &&a = 3&&, &&b = -1&&, &&c = -4&&.
Compute &&a \times c = 3 \times (-4) = -12&&.
Step 2 — Find the split:
We need &&p \times q = -12&& and &&p + q = -1&&.
The numbers are &&-4&& and &&3&&, because &&(-4) \times 3 = -12&& and &&(-4) + 3 = -1&&.
Step 3 — Split the middle term:
&&3x^2 – x – 4&&
&&= 3x^2 – 4x + 3x – 4&&
Step 4 — Group and factor:
&&= x(3x – 4) + 1(3x – 4)&&
The common binomial factor is &&(3x – 4)&&.
&&= (x + 1)(3x – 4)&&

✓ Result: &&3x^2 – x – 4 = (x + 1)(3x – 4)&&

⚠ Caution: Verify: &&(x + 1)(3x – 4) = 3x^2 – 4x + 3x – 4 = 3x^2 – x – 4&& ✓

Source: BYJU’S NCERT Solutions Ex 2.4 TiwaraAcademy Ch 2 Ex 2.4 CueMath Class 9 Ch 2


Conclusion and Key Points

In Question 4 of Exercise 2.4, all four quadratic polynomials were successfully factorised using the splitting the middle term method. The final answers are:

  • &&12x^2 – 7x + 1 = (4x – 1)(3x – 1)&&
  • &&2x^2 + 7x + 3 = (2x + 1)(x + 3)&&
  • &&6x^2 + 5x – 6 = (3x – 2)(2x + 3)&&
  • &&3x^2 – x – 4 = (x + 1)(3x – 4)&&
💡 Trick Box — Quick Tip!

To quickly find the split numbers for &&ax^2 + bx + c&&: list all factor pairs of &&|a \times c||&&, then check which pair adds/subtracts to give &&b&&. Always verify your answer by expanding the factors back.

📋 Points to Remember
  • For &&ax^2 + bx + c&&, find &&p, q&& such that &&pq = ac&& and &&p + q = b&&.
  • When &&c > 0&& and &&b < 0&&: both &&p, q&& are negative.
  • When &&c < 0&&: &&p&& and &&q&& have opposite signs.
  • Always verify by expanding the factored form.
  • The Factor Theorem can also be used to verify: if &&x = r&& is a root, then &&(x – r)&& is a factor.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What method is used in Exercise 2.4 Question 4?

The splitting the middle term method is used. For &&ax^2 + bx + c&&, we find &&p&& and &&q&& such that &&p \times q = ac&& and &&p + q = b&&, then rewrite and factor by grouping. BYJU’S CueMath

Q2. How do you factorise &&12x^2 – 7x + 1&&?

Split &&-7x&& as &&-4x – 3x&&. Then: &&12x^2 – 4x – 3x + 1 = 4x(3x – 1) – 1(3x – 1) = (4x – 1)(3x – 1)&&. BYJU’S

Q3. How do you factorise &&2x^2 + 7x + 3&&?

Split &&7x&& as &&6x + x&&. Then: &&2x^2 + 6x + x + 3 = 2x(x + 3) + 1(x + 3) = (2x + 1)(x + 3)&&. TiwaraAcademy

Q4. How do you factorise &&6x^2 + 5x – 6&&?

Since &&a \times c = -36&&, split &&5x&& as &&9x – 4x&&. Then: &&3x(2x + 3) – 2(2x + 3) = (3x – 2)(2x + 3)&&. BYJU’S CueMath

Q5. How do you factorise &&3x^2 – x – 4&&?

Since &&a \times c = -12&&, split &&-x&& as &&-4x + 3x&&. Then: &&x(3x – 4) + 1(3x – 4) = (x + 1)(3x – 4)&&. BYJU’S TiwaraAcademy

Q6. What is the Factor Theorem and how is it related?

The Factor Theorem states that &&(x – a)&& is a factor of &&p(x)&& if &&p(a) = 0&&. It can be used to verify factors found by splitting the middle term. CueMath

Q7. Can we verify factorisation by expanding?

Yes. Expand &&(4x – 1)(3x – 1) = 12x^2 – 3x – 4x + 1 = 12x^2 – 7x + 1&& ✓. Always expand to confirm. BYJU’S

Q8. How many questions are in Exercise 2.4 of Class 9 Maths?

Exercise 2.4 has 5 questions (with subparts), covering factorisation using Factor Theorem and splitting the middle term. CueMath TiwaraAcademy

Further Reading

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