http://prntscr.com/av8xx1 @Jim_Thompson5910

Question

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

your first task is to factor out the GCF

what is the GCF in this case?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

if you're not sure, look at the factors of 3, 21 and 30. What factors are in all three numbers? What factors do they have in common?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

that's not the GCF but it is the full factorization. How did you get that?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

do you see how they got the GCF to be 3?

shastri007 · Answer

This is how

ms-brains · Answer

By dividing largest number evenly into 3x^2, 21x and 30?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

well I'd just focus on 3, 21 and 30

the GCF of those numbers is 3

3 is a factor in each term. It is the largest shared factor. So that's why 3 is the GCF

mathmale · Answer

"I used a calculator online. It's where I usually get help with these sorts of problems. This is what it showed me."  Pretty neat, isn't it, what technology you can find and use for free nowadays?  BUT...you'll still have to know how to factor expressions such as this one on your own.  So, let's focus on HOW we'd go about doing that.

ms-brains · Answer

Okay

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

@Ms-Brains do the steps shown on that calculator help at all? Don't jump to the final answer right away

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

ok great. I'm glad the steps are making sense

ms-brains · Answer

Thanks for the help! ^.^