Recall: By the distributive property, we have x ( x + 2 ) = x² + 2x Now we’re given a polynomial expression and we want to perform the “opposite” of the distributive property which we call “factoring”. Factoring means writing a sum or difference as a product. Factoring out the GCF (Greatest Common Factor)
Examples
Factor each of the polynomials Examples
1.Group terms. 2.Factor GCF out of each grouped binomial. 3.Now factor out GCF (a binomial) from the two factors found in step two. Factoring by grouping
Factor each of the polynomials completely Examples