how to factor gcf

Question

36x^3-16x^2

Answer 1

You find the factors of each and pull out the common ones.

 

36

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36

 

x³

x, x², x³

 

16

1, 2, 4, 8, 16

 

x²

x, x²

 

What is common to both sides?

4x²

 

 

Factor that out (Divide each side, they are separated by the minus sign) 

36x³ / 4x² = 9x

16x² / 4x² = 4

 

36x³ - 16x² = 4x² (9x - 4)