Factoring out the GCF to simplify the rational expression

The video tutorial covers the process of factoring trinomials using the AC method, emphasizing the importance of factoring out common terms first. It explains how to simplify expressions by identifying and extracting common factors, and demonstrates the step-by-step process of simplification. The tutorial also addresses common student questions and misconceptions about the factoring process.

What is the first step recommended by the teacher before using the trinomial method?

• Use the difference of squares.

• Check for perfect square trinomials.

• Factor out common terms.

• Apply the AC method directly.

Which common factors can be extracted from the expression 3X^2 and 12X?

• 2 and X

• 5 and X

• 3 and X

• 4 and X

What happens if you only factor out the number 3 from the expression 3X^2 - 12X?

• The expression remains unsimplified.

• The expression becomes X - 4.

• The expression becomes fully simplified.

• The expression becomes X^2 - 4X.

What is the result of dividing X - 4 by X - 4?

• 4

• 1

• X

• 0

What is the final step in simplifying the expression after factoring out common terms?

• Subtract the terms.

• Divide the expression by the common factor.

• Add the terms together.

• Multiply the terms back together.