Section 1.5 : Factoring Polynomials
2. Factor out the greatest common factor from the following polynomial.
\[{a^3}{b^8} - 7{a^{10}}{b^4} + 2{a^5}{b^2}\]Show All Steps Hide All Steps
Start SolutionThe 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 \({a^3}{b^2}\) .
Show Step 2Okay, now let’s do the factoring.
\[{a^3}{b^8} - 7{a^{10}}{b^4} + 2{a^5}{b^2} = \require{bbox} \bbox[2pt,border:1px solid black]{{{a^3}{b^2}\left( {{b^6} - 7{a^7}{b^2} + 2{a^2}} \right)}}\]