GCF and DOPS

Factor out the GCF, then factor using the difference of squares.

• 3x(x + 3)(x - 3)

• 3x(x² - 9)

• 3(x² - 27x)

• 3x (x² + 3)(x² - 3)

Factor by using the GCF

18x³ + 81x - 27

• 9x (2x² + 9x - 3)

• 3 (6x³ + 27x - 9)

• 9 (2x³ + 9x - 3)

• 9 (2x² + 9x - 3)

Factor 7x + 21 using the GCF

• 7(x+3)

• 7x + 3

• 3(x + 7)

• x(7 + 3)

Factor (Hint: Look for GCF, first!)
3x² - 75

• 3( x + 5 )( x - 5 ) 

• Prime

• ( 3x + 9 )( 3x - 9 ) 

• 3( x - 6 )( x + 6 ) 

Mathematical Equivalence

ON

What is the GCF of 18 and 24?

• 3

• 6

• 8

• 9

What is ALWAYS the first step when factoring?

• Look for the GCF

• Write a, b, and c

• Difference of squares

• Group

What factoring method(s) would be used in factoring the polynomial? Check all that apply. 3x^2-27

• Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

• Difference of Perfect Squares (DOPS)

• AC Method (a = 1)

• AC Method (a > 1)

Did the student make an error in factoring the expression 2x^2-2x-24?

• Yes

• No