Question

Factor the polynomial
12x^2 - 4x

Answer 1

Can you see what is common between the terms 12x^2 and 4x?

Answer 2

GCF: 2?

Answer 3

okay 2 is one but there is a greater common factor

Answer 4

4

Answer 5

perfect so 4 is common between both terms. now there is also an x that is common

So we want to take a 4x out so 12x^2-4x=4x( - )

If I take the 4x out what will I be left with?

Answer 6

12x - 4?

Answer 7

Okay that's close you have taken the x term out correctly but we also need to take out a factor of 4.

What will we get?

Answer 8

We'd get 8x?

Answer 9

Okay so right now we have 12x^2-4x=x(12x-4)

to take out the factor of 4 i need to divide what is inside the brackets by 4

So 4x(12x/4-4/4)=4x(3x-1)

Answer 10

Ohhhh! I see, I get it!

Answer 11

My mistake

Answer 12

No worries, would you like a question to try out?

Answer 13

Yes, I have another question on my worksheet.

Answer 14

18x^2 - 10x

Answer 15

Okay would you like to try this first and I'll check it :)

Answer 16

okay. one sec.

Answer 17

So,
18x^2-10x = 2x(18x-10)
2x(9x-5) ?

Answer 18

Perfect, nice work!

Answer 19

Thank you so much!

Answer 20

Can you please help me with one more problem?

Answer 21

Sure

Answer 22

10x^3-12x^2+8x

Answer 23

You want to use the exact same method but now you have three terms. So what factors are you going to take out?

Answer 24

10x^3-12x^2+8x = 2x(10x-12+8)
= 2x(5x-6+4) ?

Answer 25

very close all the number are right

10x^3-12x^2+8x=2x(5x^3/x-6x^2/x+4x/x)
==2x(5x^2-6x+4)

Answer 26

I have to head off to work, but I'll check this afterwards. Good luck :D

Answer 27

Thank you so much for everything :)