answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Look at the numbers (coefficients) in the problem. Use your knowledge of multiplication / division to think of the largest common factor of these coefficients, in other words, the largest number that divides into all of them.

Assuming one variable is common to all the individual terms, find the smallest exponent. That will be the variable part of the GCF.

Alternate method. This is probable what your book and teacher will tell you to do when you are first learning to do this.

Do a prime factorization of each term. Look for common factors in EVERY term. All these common factors become part of the GCF and are moved to the front of the parenthesis. All other factors are left inside the parenthesis. Simplify both outside and inside the parenthesis by multiplying and using exponents for variables.

Ex: 30 x5y2 + 45x3y4

= 2 . 3 . 5 . x . x . x . x . x . y . y + 3 . 3 . 5 . x . x . x . y . y . y . y

look for common factors 3,5,x,x,x,y,y <-- these go outside the parenthesis. the "left overs" go inside the parenthesis.

= (3 . 5 . x . x . x . y . y )(2 . x . x + 3 . y . y )

= 15 x3y2 ( 2 x2 + 3 y2) <-- this is the answer.

Notice that the original problem had 2 terms and now there are 2 terms inside the parenthesis.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

First.. find the gcf of the coefficients.

Second.. remember the word 'common' .. for the variables only variables that appear in all the monomials are common factors, look at the exponents of that common variable, use the smallest exponent for that variable.

Third.. Put them all together.. that is the gcf.

EX: Find the gcf for 15x2y6 and 12x3yz

The gcf of the coefficients, 15 and 12, is 3.

x is a common variable ... its smallest exponent is 2 .... x2

y is a common variable ... its smallest exponent is an understood 1 ... y

note that z is NOT a common variable

So the GCF is 3x2y

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

since it is a single term it cannot have a common factor.

If you give a specific example of what you are looking for we would be glad to help!

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

You need at least two terms to find a GCF.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

The largest value by which all of its terms are divisible.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

You need at least two terms to find a GCF.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How do you find greatest common factor from a polynomial?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

How do you find the greatest common factor of a polynomial?

A single polynomial cannot have a greatest commonfactor. There is nothing that it will be in common with!


How do you find greatest common factor of a polynomial equation?

It is not possible to give a sensible answer to this question. The greatest common factor (GCF) refers to a factor that is COMMON to two or more numbers or polynomials. If you have only one number or polynomial there is nothing for it to have a factor in common with!


Find the greatest common factor in all terms of the polynomial 8x35 plus 12x5 plus 20x4?

The GCF is 4x4


How do you find the GCF of a polynomial?

You split the current values into a common factor, in this case the greatest common factor (hence "GCF"). e.g. 24x + 144x = 12x (2 + 12)


Find the common factor of all the terms of the polynomial 2x plus 4?

The common factor is 2.


Do you do a factor rainbow for greatest common factor?

You do a factor rainbow to find a prime factorization. You compare prime factorizations to find a greatest common factor.


Find the greatest common factor of 84 and 72?

The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is: 12


How do you find the greatest common factor of 154 and 418?

The greatest common factor (GCF) is 2.


Find the greatest common factor of 16 and 20?

The greatest common factor (GCF) is 4.


Find the greatest common factor of 18 and 75?

The greatest common factor (GCF) is 3.


How do you find the greatest common factor of 45 and 80?

The greatest common factor (GCF) is 5.


How do you find the greatest common factor of 3 and 5?

The only factor they have in common is 1. It has to be the greatest.