Functions Notes – Factoring out the GCF
In these notes we will…
Define and identify a greatest common factor.
So that we can…
Rewrite the expression as a product of its GCF and something else,
e.g factor out the GCF.
In our warmup, we reviewed the DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY. Today, we will UN-
DISTRIBUTE.
What is common between the following:
1. ☺ + ☺
2.
3. ☺ + ☺
Can we UN-DISTRIBUTE the problems from our warmup?
1. 3x + 24 = 2. 2y – 2 =
2. 5x
2
– 5x – 15 = 4. 2x
2
– 16 =
Greatest Common Factor: product of the prime factors common to each
integer.
Coefficients - highest number that divides into the given values.
Variables – lowest exponent of the common variables.
