Question

How do you factor `12x^3y^2 - 18xy^4`?

Answer 1

`6xy^2(2x^2-3y^2)`

Explanation:

By finding `color(blue)"common factors"` of the 2 terms of the expression.

• 12 and 18 have a `color(blue)"common factor"` of 6

•`x^3" and " x " have a " color(blue)("common factor") " of "x`

•`y^2 " and " y^4" have a " color(blue)("common factor")" of " y^2`

Hence the 'combined' `color(blue)("common factor") " is " 6xy^2`

`rArr12x^3y^2-18xy^4=6xy^2(2x^2-3y^2)`