Exploring Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

What is the first step in factoring a polynomial with four terms?

• Combine all terms

• Group the first two terms together

• Factor out the GCF

• Group the last two terms together

What do you do after grouping the terms in a polynomial?

• Multiply the terms

• Factor out the GCF from each group

• Subtract the terms

• Add the terms

What is the GCF of x^3 and 7x^2?

• x

• 7x

• x^2

• x^3

What happens to the GCF after it is factored out?

• It is added to the polynomial

• It is subtracted from the polynomial

• It goes out in front

• It is multiplied by the polynomial

What should you do if the terms inside the parentheses match after factoring out the GCF?

• Factor them out

• Subtract them

• Multiply them

• Add them together

In the first practice example, what is factored out from x^3 + 4x^2?

• x

• 4x

• x^2

• 4

In the first practice example, what is factored out from 8x + 32?

• 4x

• x

• 8

• 32

In the second practice example, what is factored out from 8^3 + 2a?

• 2

• a

• a^2

• 8

In the second practice example, what is factored out from 9a + 18?

• a^2

• 18

• 9

• a

What is the final answer in the second practice example?

• 8 + 2

• a + 2

• 9 + 2

• a^2 + 2