How can you take out common factors in an expression?

The correct approach to taking out common factors in an expression is by factoring the greatest common divisor (GCD). This process involves identifying the largest factor that is common to all terms in the expression and then rewriting the expression as the product of this common factor and the remaining terms.

For example, if you have the expression 6x + 9, the GCD of the coefficients (6 and 9) is 3. You can factor out 3 to rewrite the expression as 3(2x + 3). This makes it easier to simplify or manipulate the expression further.

This method is fundamental in algebra, as it helps in simplifying expressions, solving equations, or even in polynomial long division. It is a key skill that enhances problem-solving efficiency in various mathematical contexts.