Curriculum
Course: Mathematics — Second Preparatory
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Curriculum

Mathematics — Second Preparatory

Unit 1: Real Numbers

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Unit 2: Algebra

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Unit 3: Geometry

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Unit 4: Statistics

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Text lesson

Factoring by the Greatest Common Factor

Mathematics — Second Preparatory

Factoring by the Greatest Common Factor

Steps for taking out the GCF

Steps for taking out the GCF

  • After finding the GCF, divide each term of the expression by it and write the results inside a bracket.
  • The number of terms inside the bracket must equal the number of terms of the original expression.
  • Then check by multiplying back.
Term Term ÷ common factor
6x 2x
9 3
  • So 6x + 9 = 3(2x + 3). Multiplying back gives the original expression.
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