Factoring Expressions

Factoring is the process of breaking down an expression into a product of simpler expressions or factors.

2(3m + n - 7)

Identify the greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms and divide each term by the GCF, then express the original expression as the product of the GCF and the resulting expression.

1/2(x - 24)

Look for common factors, use grouping, or apply special factoring techniques such as difference of squares or perfect square trinomials.

-4x(2x - 6)

Identify and factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from all terms.

4w(2w^2 + 4w + 1)

Distributing involves multiplying a single term by each term inside a set of parentheses.

Factoring is the reverse process of distributing; it involves rewriting an expression as a product rather than a sum.