GCF help

  • GCF
  • Input help

On this tab you can find the Greatest Common Factor of several terms. If you need to perform a different operation, select the appropriate operation.

How can I enter multiple terms?

Press , or Enter key to separate terms.

Why can’t Algebrator find the GCF of my expressions?

Keep in mind that only the GCF (Greatest Common Factor) of terms or integers can be found. You cannot apply GCF operation to sums such as xy + 2x. If you have an expression that you want factored, go to the ‘Factor’ page. If you want to find the GCF of xy and 2x, enter them on separate lines.

How do I enter an exponent?

Enter the base and then press the power key ^, to enter the exponent. Once you are done entering the exponent, press ➡ or Right arrow key to return the cursor to the base.

More than 90% of the problems found in a typical algebra textbook can be entered using the default keyboard layout accessible via the Keyboard. If you need to enter a different variable, a function, or a special constant (such as π), press the A or F keys to access alternate keyboards. Once you press an alternate keyboard key, the keyboard reverts to the primary keyboard.

The ↻ key remembers the last used variable. This will speed up the problem entry since you don't have to repeatedly access the alternate keyboard layout for frequently used symbols.

The left and right arrow keys allow you to move through the expression, one character at the time. The right arrow key ➡ can also be used to 'exit' exponents, denominators, and parentheses.

Always be aware of your cursor location. For example, if you type in a^2 to enter the power a2, make sure to 'exit' the exponent before adding another term (e.g. a2+2a). The exponent is exited via ➡ or Right arrow key. If you don't, then your expression will look like this: a2+2a.

When you press the ( key, both left and right parenthesis are created, and the cursor is placed inside them. Once you are finished typing the parenthesized expression, use ➡ or Right arrow key to exit the parentheses.a The same concept applies to the absolute value key.

In order to use the subscript key _, you already need to have the variable (without subscript) typed in. The same goes for the power key ^. In contrast, if you want an expression under the root, first press the root key √, and then enter the expression.