How to Factor Using the GCF
Factors are the numbers that you multiply to get another number. GCF stands for greatest common factor and is also known as the greatest common divisor. The GCF is the largest number that can be divided out of two or more terms.
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Instructions
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List all of the factors for each term in the expression. For example, if the given expression was 32x+8, factor 32 and 8. The "x" term cannot be factored further. The factors of 32 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32. The factors of 8 are 1, 2, 4 and 8.
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Determine the greatest common factor. In the example, while 1, 2 and 4 are factors of 32 and 8, 8 is the GCF.
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Apply the GCF to the expression. Using the GCF, the expression can be factored as 8(4x+1). The term "4x+1" cannot be factored further.
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References
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