Simplifying <span>4x2</span>y + 12xy2<span> + 9y</span>3<span> Reorder the terms: 12xy</span>2<span> + </span><span>4x2</span>y + 9y3<span> Factor out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF), 'y'. y(12xy + </span><span>4x2</span><span> + 9y</span>2<span>) Factor a ... Similarly, </span>2<span> * (x + </span>5<span>) can also be entered as </span>2<span>(x + </span>5); 2x * (5) can be entered as 2x(5<span>).</span>