Question

Explain how the GCF helps with the distributive property. Why is it so important to use the GCF when factoring a sum of two numbers?

Answer 1

When we have two or more given integer, we can consider  the largest factor that both numbers have in common. This is called the GCF or the Greatest Common Factor.  GCF helps with a common factor as a multiple of a sum of two whole numbers.

For example, express 36 + 8 as 4 (9 + 2).

Remember that factors are the numbers we multiply together to get another number.

The distributive property is a useful way to look at problems in a new way. The distributive property helps us to rewrite expressions and still get the same answer.

GCF is important when factoring a sum of two numbers because it’s easily to know value by the both numbers.