Exercises 143–145 will help you prepare for the material covered in the next section. In each exercise, factor completely.9b²x + 9b²y − 16x − 16y
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Identify common factors in the expression: Notice that the expression is composed of two pairs of terms: \(9b^2x + 9b^2y\) and \(-16x - 16y\).
Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from each pair: From the first pair \(9b^2x + 9b^2y\), the GCF is \(9b^2\), and from the second pair \(-16x - 16y\), the GCF is \(-16\).
Rewrite the expression using the factored terms: \(9b^2(x + y) - 16(x + y)\).
Notice the common binomial factor: Both terms now contain the common factor \((x + y)\).
Factor out the common binomial factor: The expression can be rewritten as \((9b^2 - 16)(x + y)\).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Factoring
Factoring is the process of breaking down an expression into simpler components, or factors, that when multiplied together yield the original expression. This is essential in algebra for simplifying expressions, solving equations, and finding roots. In the context of polynomials, it often involves identifying common factors or applying techniques like grouping.
Common factors are numbers or variables that are shared among terms in an expression. Identifying common factors is a crucial step in factoring, as it allows for the simplification of the expression. For example, in the expression 9b²x + 9b²y, the common factor is 9b², which can be factored out to simplify the expression.
Grouping is a factoring technique used when an expression has four or more terms. It involves rearranging and grouping terms in pairs or sets to factor out common elements. This method is particularly useful when the expression does not have a single common factor across all terms, allowing for a systematic approach to simplify the expression.