1. Factoring Greatest Common Factor

2. Factoring We are going to start factoring today. I will take it easy on you in the beginning. Factoring is one skill you will use almost all year long. The first type of factoring we will work on is Greatest Common Factor.

3. Factoring The Greatest Common Factor or GCF is the largest number that can be divided out of all of the terms in a polynomial. Treat numbers separately for variables. 6x + 9 What number do both terms have in common? 3-> divide 3 from both 6x and 9 3(2x + 3)

4. Factoring Now let’s try one a little harder. 9x 2 + 15x Both terms have a 3 and an “x” 3x(3x + 5) You can always check your work by distributing the 3x back into 3x + 5. You should get the original problem.

5. Factoring Remember, every term in the polynomial must have the GCF. 12x 2 + 3x + 9 The GCF is 3. Why is 3x not the GCF? 3(4x 2 + x + 3)

6. Factoring Try a few on your own. 15x + 12 7x 2 + 49x 5x 2 + 20x – 40 16x 3 – 4x 2 – 12x 4y 3 – 12y 2 + 24 x 4 – x 3 + x 2 + 9x