9.5 Factor Using GCF

Find the GCF of 12 and 20.

Example:

Steps:

1. List all of the factors: what 2 numbers multiply to be the number.

2. Find the common factors.

3. Find the GCF - the biggest number they have in common

Steps:

1. Find the GCF of the numbers

2. Look at the exponents and find out what the variables have in common.

​Find the GCF of 36 and 24

Find the GCF of x⁴ and x²

Find the GCF of y² and y

Factor using GCF: 12x²​ + 15xy³

Example:

1. Find the GCF

2. Write the GCF out in front

3. Divide everything by the GCF.

4. Whatever is left over stays inside the parentheses.

Steps:

• Step 1 is always look for a GCF to make factoring easier! 

• Check if all the terms have an Variable AND/OR a number you can divide out as the first factor

• As we continue factoring, this will always be the first step of every problem

Pg 143 #1-8