5.1: An Introduction to factoring February 12, 2009
Objectives Factor out the greatest common factor Factor by grouping
What is the great common factor (GCF)? The GCF of a polynomial is the factor (usually a monomial) with the highest degree and largest numerical coefficient that is a factor of each term of the polynomial. For example, the GCF of 2x2+4x is 2x.
Find the GCF 10x2+15x+25 12x3+18x2+30x
Factoring by grouping Situation one: items are factored 2(x-2)+x(x-2)
Factoring by grouping Situation two: items are not already factored 2x2+4x+6x+12