To factor the expression \(48y + 36z\) using the greatest common factor (GCF), we first need to find the GCF of the coefficients 48 and 36.
- The prime factorization of 48 is \(2^4 \times 3\).
- The prime factorization of 36 is \(2^2 \times 3^2\).
The GCF is found by taking the lowest power of each prime factor common to both numbers:
- For the prime \(2\), the lowest power is \(2^2\).
- For the prime \(3\), the lowest power is \(3^1\).
Thus, the GCF of 48 and 36 is: \[ 2^2 \times 3^1 = 4 \times 3 = 12. \]
Now, we factor out 12 from the original expression: \[ 48y + 36z = 12(4y + 3z). \]
So, the factored form of the expression is \(12(4y + 3z)\).
Therefore, the correct response is: 12(4y + 3z).