Algebra - Factoring Polynomials

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Section 1.5 : Factoring Polynomials

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2. Factor out the greatest common factor from the following polynomial.

${a^3}{b^8} - 7{a^{10}}{b^4} + 2{a^5}{b^2}$

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The first step is to identify the greatest common factor. In this case it looks like we can factor an ${a^3}$ and a ${b^2}$ out of each term and so the greatest common factor is ${a^3}{b^2}$ .

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Okay, now let’s do the factoring.

${a^3}{b^8} - 7{a^{10}}{b^4} + 2{a^5}{b^2} = \require{bbox} \bbox[2pt,border:1px solid black]{{{a^3}{b^2}\left( {{b^6} - 7{a^7}{b^2} + 2{a^2}} \right)}}$