Thread: Determine greatest factor and write each polynomial in factored form.

Hey guys,

The task: Determine the greatest common factor in the terms of the given expression and write each polynomial in factored form.

1.
30x^2y - 24xy^3

my answer:

Greatest common factor of 30 and 24 is 6.

Factored form = 6xy (5x - 4y^2)

2.
1/2ax + 1/2bx + 1/2cx

Is the common factor 1 or 1/2???

Factored form = 1x (1/2a + 1/2b + 1/2c) or 1/2x (a+b+c) ???


Thank you.

Originally Posted by ford2008

Hey guys,

The task: Determine the greatest common factor in the terms of the given expression and write each polynomial in factored form.

1.
30x^2y - 24xy^3

my answer:

Greatest common factor of 30 and 24 is 6.

Factored form = 6xy (5x - 4y^2)

2.
1/2ax + 1/2bx + 1/2cx

Is the common factor 1 or 1/2???

Factored form = 1x (1/2a + 1/2b + 1/2c) or 1/2x (a+b+c) ???


Thank you.

Good job on the first problem. It is correct.

For the second one I need some feedback. Is it


If so, then factor what common terms are in the numerators (there are none in this case) and find the common terms for the denominator (which will be 2x).

-Dan

No it is ½ax + ½bx + ½cx. What is the common factor in this case? ½ or 1.

Each term has the common factor ½x, so pull that out.

So, then in task 1 the greatest common factor should be 6xy or just 6???

The greatest common factor in task 1 is 6xy.

Okay, lets say I have the expression 17x^3 -51x^2

Is the greatest common factor just 17, 17x or even 17x^2

because 17(x^3 -3x^2) = 17x^3 -51x^2

and 17x(x^2 -3x) = 17x^3 -51x^2

or 17x^2(x-3) = 17x^3 -51x^2

Which is the greatest common factor in the terms of the given expression?