When we factor an expression, we first find the greatest common factor of the terms in the expression. Then, we write the expression as the product of the greatest common factor and some other terms.

To demonstrate, let's factor the expression 2+6.

We start by finding the greatest common factor of 2 and 6. We list the factors of each number and find the greatest number that appears in both lists:

  • Factors of 2 : \quad 1, {\color{blue}2}

  • Factors of 6 : \quad 1, {\color{blue}2}, 3, 6

So the greatest common factor of 2 and 6 is {\color{blue}{2}}.

Next, we write each number as a product of the greatest common factor and another factor:

  • 2 = {\color{blue}2} \times {\color{red}1}

  • 6 = {\color{blue}2} \times {\color{red}3}

Finally, to factor the given expression 2+6, we place the greatest common factor \color{blue}2 outside the parentheses and leave the sum of the other two factors inside the parentheses:

2+6=\underbrace{{\color{blue}{2}}\times {\color{red}1}}_{2} + \underbrace{{\color{blue}{2}}\times {\color{red}3}}_{6} = {\color{blue}{2}}({\color{red}1}+{\color{red}3})

Therefore, the expression 2+6 factors into 2(1+3).

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What is the missing number in the following equality?

18+24=\fbox{[math]\phantom{0}[/math]}\,(3+4)

EXPLANATION

We need to factor the expression 18+24.

First, let's find the greatest common factor of 18 and 24. We list the factors of each number, and find the greatest number that appears in both lists:

  • Factors of 18 : \quad 1, 2, 3, {\color{blue}6}, 9, 18

  • Factors of 24 : \quad 1, 2, 3, 4, {\color{blue}6}, 8, 12, 24

So the greatest common factor of 18 and 24 is {\color{blue}{6}}.

Next, we write each number as a product of the greatest common factor and another factor:

  • 18 = {\color{blue}6} \times {\color{red}3}

  • 24 = {\color{blue}6} \times {\color{red}4}

Finally, to factor the given expression, we place the greatest common factor {\color{blue}6} outside the parentheses and leave the sum of the other two factors inside the parentheses:

18+24=\underbrace{{\color{blue}{6}}\times \color{red}{3}}_{18} + \underbrace{{\color{blue}{6}}\times \color{red}{4}}_{24} = {\color{blue}{6}}( {\color{red}{3}}+ {\color{red}{4}})

So the missing number is 6.

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What is the missing number in the following equality?

\[ 4+10=\fbox{$\phantom{0}$}\,(2+5) \]

a
$4$
b
$5$
c
$6$
d
$2$
e
$3$

What is the missing number in the following equality?

\[ 3+15=\fbox{$\phantom{0}$}\,(1+5) \]

a
$3$
b
$4$
c
$2$
d
$1$
e
$5$

What is the missing number in the following equality?

\[ 16+40=\fbox{$\phantom{0}$}\,(2+5) \]

a
$1$
b
$4$
c
$16$
d
$2$
e
$8$

Factor the expression 8+28.

EXPLANATION

Let's find the greatest common factor of 8 and 28. We list the factors of each number. Then, we find the largest number that appears in both lists:

  • Factors of 8 : \quad 1, 2, {\color{blue}4}, 8

  • Factors of 28 : \quad 1, 2, {\color{blue}4}, 7, 14, 28

So the greatest common factor of 8 and 28 is {\color{blue}{4}}.

Next, we write each number as a product of the greatest common factor and another factor:

  • 8 = {\color{blue}4} \times {\color{red}{2}}

  • 28 = {\color{blue}4} \times {\color{red}{7}}

Finally, to factor the given expression, we place the greatest common factor {\color{blue}4} outside the parentheses and leave the sum of the other two factors inside the parentheses:

8+28=\underbrace{{\color{blue}{4}}\times {\color{red}{2}}}_{8} + \underbrace{{\color{blue}{4}}\times {\color{red}{7}}}_{28} = {\color{blue}{4}}({\color{red}{2}}+{\color{red}{7}})

Therefore, the expression 8+28 factors into 4(2+7).

FLAG

$6+4=$

a
$2(3+2)$
b
$3(1+2)$
c
$3(4+1)$
d
$2(1+1)$
e
$3(1+1)$

$9+6=$

a
$ 6(3+2)$
b
$ 6(2+1)$
c
$ 3(3+2)$
d
$2(4+3)$
e
$ 3(4+3)$

Factor the expression 12+21.

EXPLANATION

First, we find the greatest common factor of 12 and 21. We list the factors of each number, and find the greatest number that appears in both lists:

  • Factors of 12 : \quad 1, 2, {\color{blue}3}, 4, 6, 12

  • Factors of 21 : \quad 1, {\color{blue}3}, 7, 21

So the greatest common factor of 12 and 21 is {\color{blue}{3}}.

Next, we write each number as a product of the greatest common factor and another factor:

  • 12 = {\color{blue}3} \times {\color{red}{4}}

  • 21 = {\color{blue}3} \times {\color{red}{7}}

Finally, to factor the given expression, we place the greatest common factor \color{blue}3 outside the parentheses and leave the sum of the other two factors inside the parentheses:

12+21=\underbrace{{\color{blue}{3}}\times {\color{red}{4}}}_{12} + \underbrace{{\color{blue}{3}}\times {\color{red}{7}}}_{21} = {\color{blue}{3}}({\color{red}{4}}+{\color{red}{7}})

Therefore, the expression 12+21 factors into 3(4+7).

FLAG

$ 25+80=$

a
$3(8+16)$
b
$2(5+18)$
c
$5(3+8)$
d
$3(5+8)$
e
$5(5+16)$

$12+16=$

a
$6(2+5)$
b
$4(3+4)$
c
$3(4+5)$
d
$4(2+6)$
e
$2(2+7)$

$14+35=$

a
$2(7+8)$
b
$14(1+3)$
c
$7(3+5)$
d
$2(7+9)$
e
$7(2+5)$
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