How Do You Factor a Greatest Common Factor Out of an Expression?

How Do You Factor a Greatest Common Factor Out of an Expression?

Note:

The greatest common factor (GCF) is the largest factor two or more numbers have in common. Finding the GCF can be very useful in simplifying an expression or solving an equation. In this tutorial, see how to identify the GCF of an expression and factor it out. Check it out!

Keywords:

  • problem
  • factor
  • greatest common factor
  • gcf
  • common factor
  • factors
  • prime factor
  • prime factors
  • distribute
  • distributive property
  • multiply
  • multiply factors
  • prime
  • prime number
  • prime numbers

Background Tutorials

  • Find the greatest common factor of two whole numbers less than or equal to 100 and the least common multiple of two whole numbers less than or equal to 12. Use the distributive property to express a sum of two whole numbers 1-100 with a common factor as a multiple of a sum of two whole numbers with no common factor.

      • How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor of Two Numbers Using Prime Factorization?How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor of Two Numbers Using Prime Factorization?

      How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor of Two Numbers Using Prime Factorization?

      This tutorial uses something called a factor tree to find the greatest common factor of two numbers. Creating a factor tree for a number makes it easier to find its prime factors. These prime factors are used to help find the greatest common factor. Watch this tutorial and learn how to find the greatest common factor using a factor tree.

  • Evaluate expressions at specific values of their variables. Include expressions that arise from formulas used in real-world problems. Perform arithmetic operations, including those involving whole-number exponents, in the conventional order when there are no parentheses to specify a particular order (Order of Operations).

      • What is a Variable?What is a Variable?

      What is a Variable?

      You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!

  • Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions.

      • What is the Distributive Property?What is the Distributive Property?

      What is the Distributive Property?

      The distributive property is a very deep math principle that helps make math work. It's the rule that lets you expand parentheses, and so it's really critical to understand if you want to get good at simplifying expressions. So check out the tutorial and let us know what you think!

  • Interpret parts of an expression, such as terms, factors, and coefficients.

      • What's a Factor?What's a Factor?

      What's a Factor?

      Factors are a fundamental part of algebra, so it would be a great idea to know all about them. This tutorial can help! Take a look!

Further Exploration

  • Find the greatest common factor of two whole numbers less than or equal to 100 and the least common multiple of two whole numbers less than or equal to 12. Use the distributive property to express a sum of two whole numbers 1-100 with a common factor as a multiple of a sum of two whole numbers with no common factor.

      • How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor of Two Numbers Using Prime Factorization?How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor of Two Numbers Using Prime Factorization?

      How Do You Find the Greatest Common Factor of Two Numbers Using Prime Factorization?

      This tutorial uses something called a factor tree to find the greatest common factor of two numbers. Creating a factor tree for a number makes it easier to find its prime factors. These prime factors are used to help find the greatest common factor. Watch this tutorial and learn how to find the greatest common factor using a factor tree.