ACT Preparation / Unit 8 ACT 0707 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Greatest Common Factor First
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The idea
Factoring starts by taking out the greatest common factor: the largest number and the highest power of each variable that divides every term.
In practice
6x³ − 9x² + 12x = 3x(2x² − 3x + 4).
Where people slip
Check the factored form by distributing back. A common factor left inside makes every later step harder.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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