Factoring: GCF, DOTS, GROUPING

Front

What is the GCF (Greatest Common Factor)?

Back

The GCF is the largest factor that divides two or more numbers without leaving a remainder.

Front

How do you find the GCF of two algebraic expressions?

Back

1. Factor each expression into its prime factors. 2. Identify the common factors. 3. Multiply the common factors to find the GCF.

Front

Factor the expression: x² - 5x

Back

x(x - 5)

Front

What is the purpose of factoring by grouping?

Back

Factoring by grouping is used to simplify polynomials by rearranging and grouping terms to factor them more easily.

Front

Factor the expression by grouping: 4p³ + 8p² + 3p + 6

Back

(4p² + 3)(p + 2)

Front

What is the difference of squares?

Back

The difference of squares is a special factoring pattern that states a² - b² = (a + b)(a - b).

Front

Factor the expression: 25x² - 36y²

Back

(5x + 6y)(5x - 6y)

Front

What is the first step in factoring a polynomial?

Back

The first step is to look for a common factor in all the terms.

Front

Factor the expression by grouping: x³ - 4x² - 4x + 16

Back

(x - 4)(x² - 4)

Front

What is a polynomial?

Back

A polynomial is an expression consisting of variables, coefficients, and exponents, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.