Step 1: Find the GCF of the terms of the polynomial. \( \begin{aligned} 28 x & =2 \cdot 2 \cdot 7 \cdot x \\ -98 & =2 \cdot 7 \cdot(-7) \\ G C F & =\square\end{aligned} \)

To find the GCF (Greatest Common Factor) of the terms 28x and -98, let's break it down. The prime factorization of 28x is 2 × 2 × 7 × x, which simplifies to \( 2^2 \cdot 7 \cdot x \). The prime factorization of -98 is 2 × 7 × -7 or more simply \( 2 \cdot 7 \cdot(-7) \). The common factors from both terms are 2 and 7, so the GCF is \( 2 \cdot 7 = 14 \). Thus, the GCF of the polynomial terms is \( 14 \). To verify, let's check the relationship of the GCF to the original terms. If we divide each term by 14: - \( \frac{28x}{14} = 2x \) - \( \frac{-98}{14} = -7 \) Both results are integers, proving that 14 is indeed the greatest common factor, ensuring that it's the largest number that divides both terms without leaving a remainder!