How do you factor #5x^2-5y^2+mx^2-my^2#?

1 Answer
Jul 10, 2015

The answer is #(5+m)(x+y)(x-y)#.

Explanation:

#5x^2-5y^2+mx^2-my^2#

Group the first two and last two terms together.

#(5x^2-5y^2)+(mx^2-my^2)#

Factor out the GCF for each group.

#5(x^2-y^2)+m(x^2-y^2)#

#x^2-y^2=(x+y)(x-y)#

#5(x+y)(x-y)+m(x+y)(x-y)#

Factor out the #(x+y)(x-y)#.

#(5+m)(x+y)(x-y)#