Question

12a^4b^4 − 36a^3b^3 + 48a^3b^2.

Answer 1

What is to be done? Factor?

I see 12 in each term

12(a^4b^4 − 3a^3b^3 + 4a^3b^2)

I see a^3 in each term

12(a^3)(ab^4 − 3b^3 + 4b^2)

Now what?

Answer 2

distribute 12 in the parentheses

Answer 3

No, why would you do that? It was just factored out!

We found constants and a's. Now, go hunting for b's!