I'm trying to figure out the steps to factoring, such as the 1st problem...
2x^2y-6xy^2

Question

anonymous · Answer

Each of the terms $2x^2y$ and $-6xy^2$ are products of some factors. The first step is to see what factors they have in common.

anonymous · Answer

What are the factors you can see in both those terms?

anonymous · Answer

would it be 2?

anonymous · Answer

2 is one of the factors they have in common. There are 2 more though.

anonymous · Answer

I was thinking 2 because 2 goes into 2 one time, and 2 goes into 6,  3 times. The only other common factor I can see if it has something to do with x & y.

anonymous · Answer

yep.

anonymous · Answer

So would I divide both sides by 2xy?

anonymous · Answer

Yes, and bring that 2xy out in front.

anonymous · Answer

(xy)(3xy)  ?

anonymous · Answer

2xy-(3xy)  ?

anonymous · Answer

No, sorry. Factor out 2xy from $2x^2y$ and $-6xy^2$

You should have 2xy(x - 3y)

anonymous · Answer

And you can see if you redistribute the 2xy that you will get what you started with.

anonymous · Answer

ok, it's making a little bit more sense. How does the 2nd part of the answer become (x-3y) where the x is separated from the y?

anonymous · Answer

Each of those terms x and -3y are what's left over when you pull out the 2xy factor from both of them.

anonymous · Answer

Just like factoring

(15 - 25) into 5(3-5)

anonymous · Answer

ok, I think I got it. You've been awesome.  :)  Thank you for your help.