1. **State the problem:** Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from the polynomial $9x + 18$. 2. **Identify the GCF:** The terms are $9x$ and $18$. The GCF of $9$ and $18$ is $9$. 3. **Write the polynomial as a product of the GCF and another polynomial:** $$9x + 18 = 9 \times \_\_\_$$ 4. **Divide each term by the GCF:** $$\frac{9x}{9} + \frac{18}{9} = x + 2$$ 5. **Write the factored form:** $$9x + 18 = 9(x + 2)$$ This means the polynomial $9x + 18$ factors to $9(x + 2)$ by factoring out the greatest common factor $9$.