Question

factor out the greatest common factor.
$6x^2 + 18x + 12$
$?(x^2 + 3x + 2)$

Explanation:

Step1: Identify GCF of coefficients

Find GCF of 6, 18, 12.
Factors of 6: 1,2,3,6; Factors of 18:1,2,3,6,9,18; Factors of 12:1,2,3,4,6,12.
GCF = 6

Step2: Verify factoring

Divide each term by 6:
$\frac{6x^2}{6}=x^2$, $\frac{18x}{6}=3x$, $\frac{12}{6}=2$
Which gives $x^2+3x+2$, matching the given expression inside the parentheses.

Answer:

6