How do you factor completely #12x^3 - 3xy^2#?
2 Answers
Feb 19, 2017
Explanation:
take out all common factors
use difference of squares
Feb 19, 2017
To factor, we have to divide out common factors in each term. Let's first write out the factors:
#12x^3# =#4*3*x*x*x#
#-3xy^2# =#3*-1*x*y*y#
Now look for the factors that each term share. We see that there is a
#(3*x)(4*x*x)#
#(3*x)(-1*y*y)#
Remember that these were being subtracted, so rewrite:
#(3*x)[(4*x*x) -(1*y*y)]#
Simplify.
#(3x)(4x^2-y^2)#
Use difference of squares to simplify further.
#(3x)(2x-y)(2x+y)#
