Algebra ll Factoring Notes

For all polynomials, first factor out the greatest common factor (also knwon as the GCF). We will show you a step by step on how to solve factor.

Here's an example of factoring:

Steps	Example	Explanation
Step 1:	42x^5-48x^4	First you observe the equation because you want to take out the greatest common factor out of it
Step 2:	6x(7x^5-8x^4)	The GCF of this equation is 6x, therefore we should divide by 6x on both numbers 42x^5 and 48x^4
Step 3:	6x^4(7x-8)	The GCF of this is ^4, so we divide ^4 from both numbers and take it outside of the parenthesis
Step 4:	6x^4(7x-8)	Solution.