Question: Factor the expression completely.
18x^2 - 3
1. **State the problem:** Factor the expression $$18x^2 - 3$$ completely.
2. **Identify the GCF (Greatest Common Factor):** The terms are $$18x^2$$ and $$-3$$.
3. The GCF of $$18$$ and $$3$$ is $$3$$, and both terms have no common variable factor since $$-3$$ has none.
4. **Factor out the GCF:**
$$18x^2 - 3 = 3(\cancel{6}x^2 - \cancel{1})$$
5. Simplify inside the parentheses:
$$3(6x^2 - 1)$$
6. **Final factored form:** $$3(6x^2 - 1)$$
This is the expression factored completely by taking out the greatest common factor.