Step 2: Identify the greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms. The GCF is 4.
Step 3: Factor out the GCF (4) from the expression. This gives us 4(x^2 - 4).
Step 4: Now, look at the expression inside the parentheses: x^2 - 4.
Step 5: Recognize that x^2 - 4 is a difference of squares, which can be factored as (x - 2)(x + 2).
Step 6: Substitute back the factored form into the expression. So, we have 4(x - 2)(x + 2).
Step 7: The complete factorization of the original expression is 4(x - 2)(x + 2).
Factoring Quadratic Expressions – The process of breaking down a quadratic expression into simpler factors, often involving finding the greatest common factor and recognizing special products like the difference of squares.
Greatest Common Factor (GCF) – Identifying and factoring out the largest factor common to all terms in the expression.
Difference of Squares – Recognizing and applying the formula a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) to factor expressions that fit this pattern.
