math 8

• To find the greatest common factor (GCF) of monomials, we can use listing or prime factorization
• Factoring polynomials completely


  1. Find common monomial factor

  2. Use distributive property
• Monomial


  A polynomial with only one term
• Standard form


  Polynomial arranged in descending order of degree
• Greatest common factor (GCF)


  The common factor having the greatest numerical factor and variables with the least degree
• Finding GCF by listing

  1. List factors of each monomial

  2. Find the common factors

  3. The GCF is the factor with the greatest numerical value and lowest variable degree
• Finding GCF by prime factorization

  1. Find the prime factors of each monomial

  2. The common prime factors form the GCF
• Factoring polynomials


  1. Find the GCF

  2. Factor out the GCF

  3. Factor the remaining expression using distributive property
• Factoring polynomials means rewriting them as a product of smaller degree polynomials
• Using the distributive property is another way to factor polynomials