Factoring Using “COMMON MONOMIALS” Factoring is the opposite of simplifying. This method is: Common monomials may be constants (numbers), variables, or products (BOTH) STEPS: 1. Example: Notice! 2. Note! You can check it by multiplying it back out (by distributing) The distributive property in reverse! Look at each term for variables and numbers they have in common Written this way, 5 is a common factor Take out all the common factors and put “leftovers “in parentheses
1. 3. 5. 2. 4. 6.