Question

when completely factored, 18a^2b+12ab^3-24a^2b^2 is equivalent to-

A)2ab(9a+6b^2-12ab)
B)6a(3ab+2b^3-4ab^2)
C)3b(6a^2+4ab^2-8a^2b)
D)6ab(3a+2b^2-4ab)

Answer 1

Best to take both variables a and b out as a common factor, in that case we can get rid of two choices straight away right?

Answer 2

Oh yeah so we'd take away D and A right ..?

Answer 3

no i mean, its better to take both a and b out as the common factor to completely factorise. so B and C are not possible answers to FULLY factorise

Answer 4

sorry i didnt mean to confuse u

Answer 5

Oh okay

Answer 6

A)2ab(9a+6b^2-12ab)

D)6ab(3a+2b^2-4ab)\

Now lets look at A and D. Look at the terms inside the bracket, the numbers inside the brackets for option A and D... can you see the numbers in option A can be divided further, where as the numbers inside the bracket in option D cant be divided any further (well except for -4ab, but i mean looking at it overall)

Answer 7

so I think the ans would be the one where the coefficients of the terms ( numbers in front of the letters) cannot be divided any further, which in this case is D