Question

Factor the polynomial: -3m+75

Answer 1

well, the common factor of the two terms is -3 so you want to divide both terms by negative three.

You put the common factor outside the parenthesis because it's common to the two terms that are left over from dividing by the -3.

you'll get -3(m - 25). Remember, if you divide a positive number by a negative number, you get a negative number. You can easily check it by distributing -3 back in the parenthesis to see if you get the original expression; and you do. :)

Hope that helps!