Question

Factor completely: 12x^5 + 6x^3 + 8x^2


Prime

2(6x^5 + 3x^3 + 4x^2)

2x(6x^4 + 6x^2 + 4x)

2x^2(6x^3 + 3x + 4)

Answer 1

Well I would think of it in steps......first factor out x^2 out of all terms since thats the largest factor of x common with each term.

Answer 2

so x^2(12x^3 + 6x + 8) Then I would factor out the greatest common factor of the 3 terms we have left.

Answer 3

So I would factour out 2. 2x^2(6x^3 + 3x + 8 )