Thread: factor ?

how do i do this problem

factor 54x4y2z2 -36x4y3z +18x3y2z

Originally Posted by jim1174

how do i do this problem

factor 54x4y2z2 -36x4y3z +18x3y2z

In the problem,

First look at the numbers. Which is the largest number you can factor out? It is 18. Next look at the x, there is first then and then , so you can factor . Next look at , which you can factor , next look at you can only factor one because only one appears in the second term and third. Thus, the factor is
. Now you need to fill by what you divided. Which gives,

Important notice the one in the end, it is 1 not 0