Factoring out a GCF from a polynomial using reverse distributive property

The video tutorial explains how to factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from algebraic expressions. It begins with identifying common factors in numbers, specifically using 12 and 15 as examples. The process involves breaking down the numbers to find the largest common factor, which is 3 in this case. The tutorial then moves on to factoring variables, demonstrating how to simplify expressions by dividing out the GCF. The video concludes with a verification step, showing that the factored expression can be expanded back to its original form using the distributive property.

What is the greatest common factor of 12 and 15?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

When factoring out the GCF from 12x^2 and 15x, what is the numerical GCF?

• 5

• 4

• 3

• 2

What is the variable GCF of x^2 and x?

• x^3

• x^2

• x

• 1

After factoring out the GCF, what is the resulting expression from 12x^2 + 15x?

• 4x + 5

• 4x^2 + 5x

• 4x^2 + 5

• 4x + 5x

How can you verify that the factoring process was done correctly?

• By adding the terms

• By dividing the terms

• By subtracting the terms

• By using the distributive property