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Study Guides > College Algebra

Factoring the Greatest Common Factor of a Polynomial

When we study fractions, we learn that the greatest common factor (GCF) of two numbers is the largest number that divides evenly into both numbers. For instance, 44 is the GCF of 1616 and 2020 because it is the largest number that divides evenly into both 1616 and 2020 The GCF of polynomials works the same way: 4x4x is the GCF of 16x16x and 20x220{x}^{2} because it is the largest polynomial that divides evenly into both 16x16x and 20x220{x}^{2}. When factoring a polynomial expression, our first step should be to check for a GCF. Look for the GCF of the coefficients, and then look for the GCF of the variables.

A General Note: Greatest Common Factor

The greatest common factor (GCF) of polynomials is the largest polynomial that divides evenly into the polynomials.

How To: Given a polynomial expression, factor out the greatest common factor.

  1. Identify the GCF of the coefficients.
  2. Identify the GCF of the variables.
  3. Combine to find the GCF of the expression.
  4. Determine what the GCF needs to be multiplied by to obtain each term in the expression.
  5. Write the factored expression as the product of the GCF and the sum of the terms we need to multiply by.

Example 1: Factoring the Greatest Common Factor

Factor 6x3y3+45x2y2+21xy6{x}^{3}{y}^{3}+45{x}^{2}{y}^{2}+21xy.

Solution

First, find the GCF of the expression. The GCF of 6,456,45, and 2121 is 33. The GCF of x3,x2{x}^{3},{x}^{2}, and xx is xx. (Note that the GCF of a set of expressions in the form xn{x}^{n} will always be the exponent of lowest degree.) And the GCF of y3,y2{y}^{3},{y}^{2}, and yy is yy. Combine these to find the GCF of the polynomial, 3xy3xy. Next, determine what the GCF needs to be multiplied by to obtain each term of the polynomial. We find that 3xy(2x2y2)=6x3y3,3xy(15xy)=45x2y23xy\left(2{x}^{2}{y}^{2}\right)=6{x}^{3}{y}^{3},3xy\left(15xy\right)=45{x}^{2}{y}^{2}, and 3xy(7)=21xy3xy\left(7\right)=21xy. Finally, write the factored expression as the product of the GCF and the sum of the terms we needed to multiply by.
(3xy)(2x2y2+15xy+7)\left(3xy\right)\left(2{x}^{2}{y}^{2}+15xy+7\right)

Analysis of the Solution

After factoring, we can check our work by multiplying. Use the distributive property to confirm that (3xy)(2x2y2+15xy+7)=6x3y3+45x2y2+21xy\left(3xy\right)\left(2{x}^{2}{y}^{2}+15xy+7\right)=6{x}^{3}{y}^{3}+45{x}^{2}{y}^{2}+21xy.

Try It 1

Factor x(b2−a)+6(b2−a)x\left({b}^{2}-a\right)+6\left({b}^{2}-a\right) by pulling out the GCF. Solution

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