24xyz² + 20x²yz - 4x²z² ------------ 1. We look for the largest number we can factor out of all three terms: 24, 20 and 4 can all be divided evenly by 4, so we can take out a 4 ------------ 2. Now we look for the largest power of a letter we can factor out of all three terms: x occurs in all three terms. The smallest power of x is x1. So we can factor out x y does not occur in all three terms, so we cannot take out y z occurs in all three terms. The smallest power of z is z1. So we can factor out z. ------------ 3. So the GCF is their product 4xz ------------ 4. Start with this 4xz( In order to get the first term 24xyz², if we were to use the distributive principle, the 4xz would need to be multiplied by a "6", a "y", and a "z". So we write 4xz(6yz In order to get the second term +20x²yz the 4xz will need to be multiplied by a "+5", an "x", and a y. So we write 4xz(6yz + 5xy In order to get the third term - 4x²z² the 4xz will need to be multiplied by a "-x", and a z. So we write 4xz(6yz + 5xy - xz and close the parentheses: 4xz(6yz + 5xy - xz) That's it. Check by using the distributive principle to remove the parentheses and you will get what you started with. Edwin