Question

how to factor a^4b+a^2b^3

Answer 1

Well, do they have any common factors?

Answer 2

a^2 and b^2?

Answer 3

Does the first term have b^2 or greater in it?

Answer 4

hm, the first doesn't seen to have an a^2

Answer 5

First term has an a^4, though

Answer 6

*b^2

Answer 7

oh, a^2 and b

Answer 8

simplifying, reorder the terms , factor out GCF

Answer 9

to simplify do I put them in order biggest to least by exponent?

Answer 10

Order is irrelevant. Put them in whatever order allows you to most easily spot the factors!

Answer 11

is the first factor a^2 (a^2b)?

Answer 12

Why don't you expand them like this:
\[a^4b+a^2b^3 = (a*a*a*a)*b + (a*a)*(b*b*b)\]Now can you see the common factors?

Answer 13

a2 b ( a2 + b2 )