1. Table of Contents Factoring – Greatest Common Factor When factoring out the greatest common factor (GCF), determine the common factor by looking at the following: 1.Numerical coefficients 2.Each variable individually 3.Expressions in parentheses

2. Table of Contents Example 1: 1.Common numerical factor: 2.Common variable x: Therefore, the common factor is Hint: use the smallest exponent.

3. Table of Contents Finish the problem by asking what the common factor would be multiplied by to get the correct term in the original expression.

4. Table of Contents Example 2: 1.Common numerical factor: 2.Common variable x: 3.Common variable y: Therefore, the common factor is

5. Table of Contents Finish the problem by asking what the common factor would be multiplied by to get the correct term in the original expression.

6. Table of Contents