Question

What is the missing expression?

x^8 + 3x^5 = x^5(_____)

1.)x + 3

2.)x^2 + 3

3.)x^3 + 3

Answer 1

First rewrite each term to be factored with the GCF as one of the factors. The GCF is \(\Large x^5\). Then factor out the GCF using the distributive property.

\[\Large x^8 + 3x^5 = x^{5+3} + 3x^5\]

\[\Large x^8 + 3x^5 = x^5 *x^3 + x^5 * 3\]

\[\Large x^8 + 3x^5 = x^5 (x^3 + 3)\]