Question

Factor completely −5x^3 + 10x^2.

Prime

−x(5x^2 − 10x)

5x(−x^2 + 2x)

−5x^2(x − 2)

Answer 1

Please someone explain? :/

Answer 2

Ok, so we have -5x^3 + 10x^2
These are both multiples of 5, so lets take a five out. By taking this out, it's basically saying to multiply both numbers by it. (remember the distributive property)
5(-x^3 + 2x^2)
Next we could take out x^2, because both numbers are multiples of it.
5x^2(-x + 2)
And finally, we could take out a minus, because +2 is really -(-2), so if you take out a minus you get
-5x^2(x-2)
That's you final answer.

Does this make sense..?

Answer 3

He is taking out the greatest common factors of the polynomial in a step-by-step approach here. If we look at the problem -5x^3 + 10x^2 we can say that -5x^2 is a factor of both parts and can be taken out.

-5x^2(x - 2) is what we have after factoring out -5x^2

Answer 4

ohhh okay