# Thread: Last question for now - Complete the factorization

1. ## Last question for now - Complete the factorization

Ok, so we have this on homework and never covered in clas and I dont even know where to begin

Says complete the factorization
-48x^5y^8 = -6x^3y^4 ( )

2. ## Re: Last question for now - Complete the factorization

Originally Posted by bashemgud
Ok, so we have this on homework and never covered in clas and I dont even know where to begin

Says complete the factorization
-48x^5y^8 = -6x^3y^4 ( )
$(unknown \, \, factor) = \frac{-48x^5y^8}{-6x^3y^4}$

3. ## Re: Last question for now - Complete the factorization

Originally Posted by bashemgud
Ok, so we have this on homework and never covered in clas and I dont even know where to begin

Says complete the factorization
-48x^5y^8 = -6x^3y^4 ( )
\displaystyle \begin{align*} -48x^5y^8 &= -6x^3y^4 \\ 0 &= 48x^5y^8 - 6x^3y^4 \\ 0 &= 6x^3y^4\left(8x^2y^4 - 1\right) \\ 0 &= 6x^3y^4\left[\left(2\sqrt{2}\,x\,y^2\right)^2 - 1^2\right] \\ 0 &= 6x^3y^4\left(2\sqrt{2}\,x\,y^2 - 1\right)\left(2\sqrt{2}\,x\,y^2 + 1\right) \end{align*}

Can you solve the equation now?

4. ## Re: Last question for now - Complete the factorization

so I just divide it?

5. ## Re: Last question for now - Complete the factorization

I think I am even more confused .

6. ## Re: Last question for now - Complete the factorization

Originally Posted by bashemgud
I think I am even more confused .
So am I. When asking a question, it helps to use some notation that can be understood, or give some explanation of what you wanted help doing...

7. ## Re: Last question for now - Complete the factorization

Sorry, I am confused why the question has ( ) that are empty.

8. ## Re: Last question for now - Complete the factorization

Originally Posted by bashemgud
Sorry, I am confused why the question has ( ) that are empty.
( ... ) is the factor you're supposed to find if I interpret the problem correctly.

9. ## Re: Last question for now - Complete the factorization

Originally Posted by skeeter
( ... ) is the factor you're supposed to find if I interpret the problem correctly.
Assuming that is what it means (and it could really mean anything...)

\displaystyle \begin{align*} -48x^5y^8 &= -6\cdot 8x^3x^2y^4y^4 \end{align*}

What is left over when you take out \displaystyle \begin{align*} -6x^3y^4 \end{align*} as a factor?

### complete factorization

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