Math

Gcf factoring.

Definition

A factoring method where you identify the greatest common factor (GCF) of all terms in a polynomial and factor it out. This is typically the first step to try when factoring any expression.

How it works · 4 phases

Step by step.

  1. Identify the GCF of all the coefficients.
  2. Identify the lowest power of each variable common to every term.
  3. Divide each term by the GCF.
  4. Write the expression as the GCF times the remaining polynomial in parentheses.
Examples

Real-world.

  • 1 6x³ + 9x² = 3x²(2x + 3)
  • 2 12ab² − 8a²b + 4ab = 4ab(3b − 2a + 1)
Studied in

1 unit use this concept.