Factor completely. \( 4 w^{2}-16 \)

To factor \( 4w^2 - 16 \) completely, first notice that both terms share a common factor of 4. So, we can factor out the 4: \( 4(w^2 - 4) \). Now, the expression inside the parentheses, \( w^2 - 4 \), is a difference of squares, which can be factored further: \( w^2 - 4 = (w - 2)(w + 2) \). Putting it all together, we get: \( 4(w - 2)(w + 2) \) as the completely factored form.