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10.6 Introduction to factoring polynomials

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By the end of this section, you will be able to:
  • Find the greatest common factor of two or more expressions
  • Factor the greatest common factor from a polynomial

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

  1. Factor 56 into primes.
    If you missed this problem, review Prime Factorization and the Least Common Multiple .
  2. Multiply: −3 ( 6 a + 11 ) .
    If you missed this problem, review Distributive Property .
  3. Multiply: 4 x 2 ( x 2 + 3 x − 1 ) .
    If you missed this problem, review Multiply Polynomials .

Find the greatest common factor of two or more expressions

Earlier we multiplied factors together to get a product. Now, we will be reversing this process; we will start with a product and then break it down into its factors. Splitting a product into factors is called factoring.

On the left, the equation 8 times 7 equals 56 is shown. 8 and 7 are labeled factors, 56 is labeled product. On the right, the equation 2x times parentheses x plus 3 equals 2 x squared plus 6x is shown. 2x and x plus 3 are labeled factors, 2 x squared plus 6x is labeled product. There is an arrow on top pointing to the right that says “multiply” in red. There is an arrow on the bottom pointing to the left that says “factor” in red.

In The Language of Algebra we factored numbers to find the least common multiple    (LCM) of two or more numbers. Now we will factor expressions and find the greatest common factor of two or more expressions. The method we use is similar to what we used to find the LCM.

Greatest common factor

The greatest common factor    (GCF) of two or more expressions is the largest expression that is a factor of all the expressions.

First we will find the greatest common factor of two numbers.

Find the greatest common factor of 24 and 36 .

Solution

Step 1: Factor each coefficient into primes. Write all variables with exponents in expanded form. Factor 24 and 36. .
Step 2: List all factors--matching common factors in a column. .
In each column, circle the common factors. Circle the 2, 2, and 3 that are shared by both numbers. .
Step 3: Bring down the common factors that all expressions share. Bring down the 2, 2, 3 and then multiply.
Step 4: Multiply the factors. The GCF of 24 and 36 is 12.

Notice that since the GCF is a factor of both numbers, 24 and 36 can be written as multiples of 12 .

24 = 12 · 2 36 = 12 · 3
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Find the greatest common factor: 54 , 36 .

18

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Find the greatest common factor: 48 , 80 .

16

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In the previous example, we found the greatest common factor of constants. The greatest common factor of an algebraic expression can contain variables raised to powers along with coefficients. We summarize the steps we use to find the greatest common factor    .

Find the greatest common factor.

  1. Factor each coefficient into primes. Write all variables with exponents in expanded form.
  2. List all factors—matching common factors in a column. In each column, circle the common factors.
  3. Bring down the common factors that all expressions share.
  4. Multiply the factors.

Find the greatest common factor of 5 x and 15 .

Solution

Factor each number into primes.
Circle the common factors in each column.
Bring down the common factors.		 .
The GCF of 5x and 15 is 5.
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Find the greatest common factor: 7 y , 14 .

7

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Find the greatest common factor: 22 , 11 m .

11

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In the examples so far, the greatest common factor was a constant. In the next two examples we will get variables in the greatest common factor.

Find the greatest common factor of 12 x 2 and 18 x 3 .

Solution

Factor each coefficient into primes and write
the variables with exponents in expanded form.
Circle the common factors in each column.
Bring down the common factors.
Multiply the factors.		 .
The GCF of 12 x 2 and 18 x 3 is 6 x 2
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Source:  OpenStax, Prealgebra. OpenStax CNX. Jul 15, 2016 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11756/1.9
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