Quadratics

Common Factoring 

 

Now that we have learned how to multiply binomials (expanding), we are ready to begin learning about the concept of FACTORING. In this section, we will be specifically focusing on covering: "Common Factoring". If more help is needed in understanding this concept, please locate and watch the video below. 

 

Example: 14m + 21n 

                     = 7(2m + 3n)

 

The example above shows the concept of "common factoring". Inorder to comon factor, the first question you need to ask yourself is: "Is there anything common between the terms that I can factor out?" If we look at the example above, we can see that the common factor is "7", and hence it was factored out (put outside the brackets). Furthermore, all the terms were divided by the common factor, and the answers were put inside the brackets. After following through with these steps, the answer of 7(2m + 3n) was reached. 

 

 

Example: 5c + 10d 

                     = 5(c + 2d)

 

Inorder to common factor the problem above, we first need to find and remove the common factor. In this case, the common factor between the two terms: 5c and 10d is 5. Hence, it was removed and placed outside the brackets. Furthermore, both the terms (in the problem above) were divided by the 5 (common factor), and the answers of c and 2d were placed inside brackets. This is how the example above was "common factored".

 

STEPS TAKEN TO COMMON FACTOR (in general):

 

1. Find and remove the common factor. 

2. Divide the terms by the common factor, and put the answers inside brackets.

                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                      Video: Common Factoring