To factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from the polynomial \(2b^3 - 4b^2\), we first need to identify the GCF of the coefficients and the variables.
The coefficients are 2 and -4. The GCF of 2 and -4 is 2.
For the variable part, we have \(b^3\) and \(b^2\). The GCF of \(b^3\) and \(b^2\) is \(b^2\).
Now we can factor out the GCF of the expression:
\[ 2b^3 - 4b^2 = 2b^2(b - 2) \]
So, the factored form is:
\[ 2b^2(b - 2) \]