Example

Factoring 3y(y+7)4(y+7)3y(y + 7) - 4(y + 7)

Factor 3y(y+7)4(y+7)3y(y + 7) - 4(y + 7) by identifying and extracting a binomial greatest common factor (GCF).

The expression consists of two terms: 3y(y+7)3y(y + 7) and 4(y+7)-4(y + 7). Both terms share the common binomial factor (y+7)(y + 7), which serves as the GCF. Just as a monomial GCF is factored out using the reverse Distributive Property, a binomial GCF is factored out in the exact same way.

Factor the GCF, (y+7)(y + 7): Write the binomial GCF outside the parentheses and place the remaining factors — 3y3y and 4-4 — inside a second set of parentheses: 3y(y+7)4(y+7)=(y+7)(3y4)3y(y + 7) - 4(y + 7) = (y + 7)(3y - 4)

Check by multiplying: Distribute (y+7)(y + 7) back through (3y4)(3y - 4) to verify the result equals the original expression.

The factored form is (y+7)(3y4)(y + 7)(3y - 4). This example demonstrates that the GCF of a polynomial does not have to be a monomial — it can be an entire binomial expression. Whenever every term of a polynomial contains the same binomial factor, that binomial can be factored out.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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