Factorise fully 20x^2 - 5

When factorising an expression, you first want to find the highest common factor in each term of the expression. Here, our terms are 20 and 5. The highest common factor here is 5, so we want to take 5 out of the equation first. When we do this, we get 5(4x^2 - 1).
This expression is not yet fully factorised as (4x^2 - 1) can be split into two more brackets because it is a difference of two squares. Both 4 and 1 are square numbers so this can factorise into (2x-1)(2x+1).
Therefore, our final answer is 5(2x-1)(2x+1).

Answered by Maths tutor

10330 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Rectangle ABCD has sides 2x+5 and x+2 with rectangle EFGH of sides x+3 and x cut out of it. The total area of shape ABCD is 5cm^2. Show that 0 = x^2 + 6x +5 [5 Marks]


Consider a right-angled triangle with an inside angle of 30° and a hypotenuse of 8cm. Calculate the length of the opposite side to the 30° angle.


How do I solve simultaneous equations that aren't linear, for example x^2 + 2y = 9, y = x + 3


Rewrite in the logarithmic form: T=2π√(L/G)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning