Question

HEY GUYS WHAT'S UP? I have a question and I need it explained step by step for my test, PLEASE HELP! The question is factor out the greatest common factor from the expression: 20x^8+30x^7-15x^4?

Answer 1

The GCF of 20, 30, and -15 is 5 (this is the largest number that can go into all 3)


the GCF of x^8, x^7, and x^4 is x^4 (same reason)


So the GCF of 20x^8 , 30x^7 and -15x^4 is 5x^4



Factor out 5x^4 by dividing each term by this GCF to get


5x^4 ( 4x^4 + 6x^3 - 3)


Let me know if you need me to explain how I got the stuff inside the parenthesis

Answer 2

Yes I do please Jim just one more time

Answer 3

First term:

(20x^8)/(5x^4) = (20/5)x^(8-4) = 4x^4


Second term:


(30x^7)/(5x^4) = (30/5)x^(7-4) = 6x^3


Third term:


(-15x^4)/(5x^4) = (-15/5)x^(4-4) = -3

Answer 4

each time, I'm dividing an original term by the GCF to get the new term

Answer 5

okay I need to ask you a question

Answer 6

what's that

Answer 7

when I am dividing, do I use the multiplication rules to get the positive or negatives?

Answer 8

and negatives

Answer 9

yes, something like -15/5 = -3

you divide 15 by 5 to get 3, then you make it negative since one number is negative

Answer 10

is that what you're asking about?

Answer 11

so its just like multiplying the signs, yes thats what I'm asking

Answer 12

yes, dividing uses the same rules as multiplying when it comes to positives and negatives

Answer 13

AWESOME

Answer 14

(positive)/(positive) = positive

(negative)/(negative) = positive

(negative)/(positive) = negative

(positive)/(negative) = negative

Answer 15

THANK YOU JIM!!! YOUR THE BEST!!!:)

Answer 16

np

Answer 17

yep

Answer 18

hey buddy, I have a question, I'm not sure if I got it correct or not

Answer 19

are you still here??

Answer 20

what's the question