factor completely: 36a^2 - 24a + 4

Question

jagr2713 · Answer

Hey @lauraoar 

First we need to find the GCF.

 What is the largest number that divides evenly into 36a2, −24a, and 4?

anonymous · Answer

4?

jagr2713 · Answer

Correct

What is the highest degree of a that divides evenly into 36a2, −24a, and 4?

anonymous · Answer

2?

jagr2713 · Answer

Nope

try again

jagr2713 · Answer

Is A in every term?

anonymous · Answer

nope

jagr2713 · Answer

So there is none :D

So the GCF=?

anonymous · Answer

4?

anonymous · Answer

is the answer 4(3a-1)^2

jagr2713 · Answer

Good :D
So now we have the GCF and now we have to factor out the GCF.

Put the GCF as the first term
Then, in parentheses, divide each term by the GCF

so we have
$$4(\frac{ 36a ^{2} }{ 4 }+\frac{ -24a }{ 4 }+\frac{ 4 }{ 4 })$$

jagr2713 · Answer

Now we simplify each term in the parentheses.

What do we get @lauraoar

anonymous · Answer

4(9a+-6a+1)?

jagr2713 · Answer

i see you have +-

the -24 is negative and we divided so it goes negative.

And dont forget the a2

4(9a2-6a+1)

jagr2713 · Answer

a2−2ab+b2
Rewrite it where a=3a and b=1

plug it in

anonymous · Answer

you could of used the quadratic formula

jagr2713 · Answer

what do we get @lauraoar

jagr2713 · Answer

@lauraoar did u get the answer or?