Factoring by the Greatest Common Factor

Mathematics — Second Preparatory

Common mistakes

Taking out only part of the common factor. Writing 6x + 9 = 3(2x + 3x) is wrong; the correct form is 3(2x + 3).
Forgetting a term that equals the common factor itself, so the bracket becomes incomplete. For example, 6x + 6 = 6(x + 1), not 6(x).
Losing a sign when taking out a negative factor. For −3x + 6, the correct form is −3(x − 2).
Not checking the answer by multiplying back, which is a quick way to find an error.

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