1) Factor each term of the polynomial.

2) Use the commutative property of multiplication to arrange each term so that

the greatest common factor is together.

3) Use the distributive property of multiplication over addition (in reverse) to

factor out the GCF leaving the remaining terms and operators (+ or -) in

parentheses.

EXAMPLE: 15x2y + 5xy2 - 10xy

3••5Š••x••Šx••Šy + 5••Šx••Šy••Šy - 2Š••5Š••x••Šy =

3x •• 5xy + y •• 5xy - 2 •• 5xy =

FACTORS ARE: 5xy (3x + y - 2)