Identifying the GCF of the Given Expression

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 121 views

Understanding the Concept of Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is the largest positive integer that divides each of the numbers in a set of numbers without leaving a remainder. In the context of algebra, the GCF is used to factor out common factors from an expression. Factoring an expression by pulling out the GCF is a technique used to simplify complex expressions and make them easier to work with.

Identifying the GCF of the Given Expression

To factor the given expression completely, we need to identify the GCF of the three terms: 21x^8, 6x^7, and 33x^5. The GCF is the largest factor that divides each of the terms without leaving a remainder.

Breaking Down the Terms

Let's break down each term to identify the common factors:

21x^8: The factors of 21 are 1, 3, 7, and 21. The factors of x^8 are x, x^2, x^3, x^4, x^5, x^6, x^7, and x^8.
6x^7: The factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6. The factors of x^7 are x, x^2, x^3, x^4, x^5, x^6, and x^7.
33x^5: The factors of 33 are 1, 3, 11, and 33. The factors of x^5 are x, x^2, x^3, x^4, and x^5.

Identifying the Common Factors

By comparing the factors of each term, we can identify the common factors:

The common factors of 21x^8 and 6x^7 are 1, 3, and x.
The common factors of 21x^8 and 33x^5 are 1, 3, and x.
The common factors of 6x^7 and 33x^5 are 1 and x.

Determining the GCF

Based on the common factors identified, the GCF of the three terms is 3x.

Factoring the Expression by Pulling Out the GCF

Now that we have identified the GCF, we can factor the expression by pulling it out:

${ 21x^8 + 6x^7 + 33x^5 = 3x(7x^7 + 2x^6 + 11x^3) }$

Simplifying the Expression

The expression can be simplified further by factoring out any common factors from the terms inside the parentheses:

${ 3x(7x^7 + 2x^6 + 11x^3) = 3x(7x^7 + 2x^6 + 11x^3) }$

However, we can simplify the expression by factoring out a common factor of x^3 from the terms inside the parentheses:

${ 3x(7x^7 + 2x^6 + 11x^3) = 3x^4(7x^3 + 2x^2 + 11) }$

Conclusion

In conclusion, the given expression can be factored completely by pulling out the GCF. The GCF is 3x, and the factored expression is 3x(7x^7 + 2x^6 + 11x^3). The expression can be simplified further by factoring out a common factor of x^3 from the terms inside the parentheses.

Example Problems

Here are some example problems that demonstrate how to factor expressions by pulling out the GCF:

Example 1

Factor the expression: 24x^5 + 12x^4 + 36x^3

Solution:

Identify the GCF: The GCF is 12x^3.
Factor the expression: 12x^3(2x2 + x + 3)

Example 2

Factor the expression: 48x^7 + 24x^6 + 96x^5

Solution:

Identify the GCF: The GCF is 24x^5.
Factor the expression: 24x^5(2x2 + x + 4)

Example 3

Factor the expression: 60x^9 + 30x^8 + 90x^7

Solution:

Identify the GCF: The GCF is 30x^7.
Factor the expression: 30x^7(2x2 + x + 3)

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you factor expressions by pulling out the GCF:

Make sure to identify the GCF correctly.
Factor the expression by pulling out the GCF.
Simplify the expression by factoring out any common factors from the terms inside the parentheses.
Use the distributive property to expand the expression and check your work.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when factoring expressions by pulling out the GCF:

Not identifying the GCF correctly.
Not factoring the expression by pulling out the GCF.
Not simplifying the expression by factoring out any common factors from the terms inside the parentheses.
Not using the distributive property to expand the expression and check your work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, factoring expressions by pulling out the GCF is a technique used to simplify complex expressions and make them easier to work with. By identifying the GCF and factoring the expression, you can simplify the expression and make it easier to work with. Remember to use the distributive property to expand the expression and check your work.

Understanding the Concept of Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

Q&A

Q: What is the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)?

A: The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is the largest positive integer that divides each of the numbers in a set of numbers without leaving a remainder.

Q: How do I identify the GCF of an expression?

A: To identify the GCF of an expression, you need to break down each term into its factors and identify the common factors.

Q: What is the difference between the GCF and the Least Common Multiple (LCM)?

A: The GCF is the largest positive integer that divides each of the numbers in a set of numbers without leaving a remainder, while the LCM is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of each of the numbers in a set of numbers.

Q: Can I factor an expression by pulling out the GCF if the terms have different variables?

A: Yes, you can factor an expression by pulling out the GCF even if the terms have different variables.

Q: How do I factor an expression by pulling out the GCF?

A: To factor an expression by pulling out the GCF, you need to identify the GCF and factor the expression by pulling it out.

Q: Can I simplify an expression by factoring out a common factor from the terms inside the parentheses?

A: Yes, you can simplify an expression by factoring out a common factor from the terms inside the parentheses.

Q: How do I use the distributive property to expand an expression and check my work?

A: To use the distributive property to expand an expression and check your work, you need to multiply each term inside the parentheses by the factor outside the parentheses.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when factoring expressions by pulling out the GCF?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when factoring expressions by pulling out the GCF include not identifying the GCF correctly, not factoring the expression by pulling out the GCF, and not simplifying the expression by factoring out any common factors from the terms inside the parentheses.

Example Problems

Here are some example problems that demonstrate how to factor expressions by pulling out the GCF:

Example 1

Factor the expression: 24x^5 + 12x^4 + 36x^3

Solution:

Identify the GCF: The GCF is 12x^3.
Factor the expression: 12x^3(2x2 + x + 3)

Example 2

Factor the expression: 48x^7 + 24x^6 + 96x^5

Solution:

Identify the GCF: The GCF is 24x^5.
Factor the expression: 24x^5(2x2 + x + 4)

Example 3

Factor the expression: 60x^9 + 30x^8 + 90x^7

Solution:

Identify the GCF: The GCF is 30x^7.
Factor the expression: 30x^7(2x2 + x + 3)

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you factor expressions by pulling out the GCF:

Make sure to identify the GCF correctly.
Factor the expression by pulling out the GCF.
Simplify the expression by factoring out any common factors from the terms inside the parentheses.
Use the distributive property to expand the expression and check your work.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when factoring expressions by pulling out the GCF:

Not identifying the GCF correctly.
Not factoring the expression by pulling out the GCF.
Not simplifying the expression by factoring out any common factors from the terms inside the parentheses.
Not using the distributive property to expand the expression and check your work.