Factoring GCF from Polynomials

Front

What is the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)?

Back

The GCF is the largest factor that two or more numbers share. It is used to simplify fractions and factor polynomials.

Front

How do you find the GCF of two terms?

Back

To find the GCF, identify the common factors of the terms and choose the largest one. For example, for 12 and 16, the GCF is 4.

Front

Factor the GCF from the expression: 8x + 12.

Back

4(2x + 3).

Front

What is the first step in factoring out the GCF from a polynomial?

Back

Identify the GCF of all the terms in the polynomial.

Front

Factor the GCF from the expression: 15y^2 + 10y.

Back

5y(3y + 2).

Front

What does it mean to factor a polynomial?

Back

Factoring a polynomial means rewriting it as a product of its factors, which can include numbers, variables, or other polynomials.

Front

Factor the GCF from the expression: 20x^3 - 5x^2.

Back

5x^2(4x - 1).

Front

What is the GCF of the terms 18a^2b and 24ab^2?

Back

6ab.

Front

Factor the GCF from the expression: 14x^4 + 21x^3.

Back

7x^3(2x + 3).

Front

How do you check if your factoring is correct?

Back

You can check by distributing the factors back to see if you obtain the original expression.