Factoring Out a Common Factor

A factor common to all parts of a polynomial can be factored out. If you notice that all terms in a polynomial can be divided by the same number or variable, you can pull that number or variable out of the equation.

For example, in the equation, , the number 4 divides evenly into each of the terms. Thus, the 4 can be pulled out so that equation reads: .

Another example:

Since each of the terms is divisible by 3w, it can be pulled out of the expression.

Understanding how to pull out common factors will help you clean up equations on test day.