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Mathematics 51 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

I need help understanding how to factor this problem: 5x^6-10x^5-315x^4. Identify one of the factors. Answer is (x-9)

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

ok, first notice that every term can be divided by \(x^4\). so first take out \(x^4\) as a common factor - what do you get?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Im new do i reply here lol sorry

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

yes - reply here please

OpenStudy (anonymous):

5x

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

that cannot be right. remember we are factoring out \(x^4\) from \(5x^6-10x^5-315x^4\)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

oh so 5x^2

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

so you should end up with something like:\[x^4(...)\]

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

there should still be 3 terms within the braces

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

you have the correct first term

OpenStudy (anonymous):

x^4(5x^2-10x-315)?

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

perfect! next notice that every term can be divided by 5 - so pull out a 5 from this as well

OpenStudy (anonymous):

so divide everything inside by 5 then right?

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

yes

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

so you should end up with something like:\[5x^4(...)\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

wait how do i get 5x^4 ? Im sorry if i seem slow

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

don't worry about being slow - it is finishing the race that is more important! :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

oh wow good words

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

ok, we originally had x^4(...) and we noticed that every term within the braces is a multiple of 5, so we pulled out a 5 as well to get 5x^4(...) does that make sense?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

oh you mean leave x^2 inside without the 5 and put the 5 infront of x4

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

yes - that's it

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok let me work on that one sec

OpenStudy (anonymous):

one sec im trying to work on dividing

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

@TheViper JoelPerez89 knows what to do

OpenStudy (theviper):

ok I didn't know sorry :)

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

np :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

so rewrite it at 5x^4(x^2-10x-315)

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

you need to divide every term by 5. you have only divided the first term by 5 here.

OpenStudy (theviper):

made a mistake

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

try it again please...

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok im frustrated. do I make10x = 2x and 315 = 63?

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

yes that is correct and don't worry - take your time :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

5x^4(x^2-2x-63)?

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

perfect! now all you need to do is to factor the remaining quadratic inside the braces.

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

do you know how to do that?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

um do you mean 5x^4 ( ? + ?)(? - ?) ?

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

yes :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok let me try. thank your for your help and patience with me

OpenStudy (anonymous):

\[5x ^{4}(x+7)(x-9)\]

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

perfect! you've done it!

OpenStudy (anonymous):

wow i cant belive it. You are soo cool lol thank you a bunch

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

yw - I'm glad I was able to help. :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

if i need more help i just post my problem again right?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Im going to try as many as i can do myself. Its for a test tomorrow.

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

yes that's right. the usual workflow is: 1. You post a question. 2. One or more people come to your question to help you out. 3. You select the one that best answered your question by clicking on the blue Best Response button next to any one of their replies. 4. You close the question by clicking on the Close button then the whole process starts again.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok thanks

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

one more thing...

OpenStudy (anonymous):

yes

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

if you ever get to stage where you can help someone else out on their question then, if you feel that the person asking the question has put in sufficient effort, you can also award them a medal in the same manner.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

oh wow that is great news. If i could help someone i would. Thank you! Did i get you points up for you? I hit best answer

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

yes - although I am here because I enjoy teaching and learning - I'm not really interested in the medal scheme as such. :)

OpenStudy (theviper):

me too

OpenStudy (anonymous):

lol that is great to hear. I dont want answers I just need help understanding. That way I learn the material.

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

exactly - great attitude! :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Wow I did the next problem perfectly thanks 2 u. 12y^{5}-9y^{4}+15y^{2} Factored = 3y^{2}(4y^{3}+5)

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

have you written that out correctly?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

um...oh no lol oops

OpenStudy (anonymous):

3y^2(4y^3-3y^2+5) :D There

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

thats it! :)

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