Question

Where did I go wrong?
Factor out the GCF
x^7-6x^6-5x^5
The GCF is x^5
x^5(x^5)-x^5(6x)-x^5(5)
x^5(x^5-6x-5)

Answer 1

right here
x^5(x^5)

Answer 2

What should it be?

Answer 3

you are trying to get x^7 right

Answer 4

so it would be x^2

Answer 5

Where does the ^2 come from?

Answer 6

x^5(x^5)-x^5(6x)-x^5(5)
x^5(x^5-6x-5)
that is what you put right

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

But 2 is not the gcf

Answer 9

x^5(x^2) - x^5(6x) - x^5(5)
x^5(x^2-6x-5)

Answer 10

now you see it

Answer 11

Hmmm I do not understand where the two came from because x^5 is the gcf.

Answer 12

x^7-x^5=x^2 ???

Answer 13

x^5 is still the gcf but in order to get X^7 you have x^2 left

Answer 14

right

Answer 15

Does that work in all problems? Take the greatest and least number and either + or -?

Answer 16

sometimes it can be different but pretty much

Answer 17

Great! I get it. Thank you!!!

Answer 18

your welcome

Answer 19

with this part that you have in your problem it gives you what
x^5(6x)

Answer 20

it is the same with x^7

Answer 21

You lost me....

Answer 22

okay I was just trying to show you what did

Answer 23

Hmmm x^7is the same as what?

Answer 24

getting the factoring to equal x^7 is the same as getting the factoring to equal 6x^6 you just put the gcf into the bottom equation twice

Answer 25

Ohhhhhh I see!

Answer 26

sorry I confused you again I was just trying to make sure you truly understood what I was trying to say

Answer 27

I believe so. I tried another example and got it right.....

Answer 28

okay thats good so that means you understand it now

Answer 29

I hope so! I think so, just need more practice to test it and understand it.

Answer 30

10x^3 (x-3)-5x(x-3) The GCF is 5x(x-3) so.... I continue on

Answer 31

this one you have to distribute first I think

Answer 32

Got it.....How are you at factoring trinomials?