In Exercises 1–22, factor the greatest common factor from each polynomial.4x²y³ + 6xy
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms in the polynomial. Look at the coefficients and the variables separately.
For the coefficients, find the GCF of 4 and 6, which is 2.
For the variables, identify the common variables in each term. Both terms have 'x' and 'y'. The lowest power of 'x' is x¹ and the lowest power of 'y' is y¹.
Combine the GCF of the coefficients and the variables to get the overall GCF, which is 2xy.
Factor out the GCF from each term in the polynomial: 4x²y³ + 6xy = 2xy(2xy² + 3).
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
4m
Play a video:
0 Comments
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is the largest factor that divides two or more numbers or terms without leaving a remainder. In polynomials, the GCF is determined by identifying the highest power of each variable and the largest coefficient common to all terms. Factoring out the GCF simplifies the polynomial and makes further operations easier.
Factoring polynomials involves rewriting a polynomial as a product of its factors. This process is essential for simplifying expressions, solving equations, and analyzing polynomial behavior. The first step in factoring is often to identify and factor out the GCF, which can reveal simpler polynomial forms and make further factoring possible.
A polynomial is an expression consisting of variables raised to non-negative integer powers and coefficients. Each part of a polynomial is called a term, which can be a constant, a variable, or a combination of both. Understanding the structure of polynomial terms is crucial for identifying the GCF and performing polynomial operations effectively.