Question

how do you factor 12b^2+8y^3

Answer 1

Okay, look at the coefficients of each term. Do they have any common factors? If so, use the distributive property in reverse: \(ab + ac = a(b+c)\). For example, if you had

\[9x^2 + 3x\]both coefficients are divisible by 3, so we can take the 3 out and write\[3(3x^2+x)\]Now do the same for x\[3x(3x+1)\]and it is factored.

In your case, you can only factor out something from the coefficients.

Answer 2

12b^(2)+8y^(3)

Factor out the GCF of 4 from each term in the polynomial.
4(3b^(2))+4(2y^(3))

Factor out the GCF of 4 from 12b^(2)+8y^(3).
4(3b^(2)+2y^(3))