Question

Can someone tell me how you factor this for a medal?

Answer 1

Factor 3x^2y^2 - 2xy^2 - 8y^2

Answer 2

(x+2y)(3x-4y)

Answer 3

that is not correct

the first expansion of that would give 3x^ as a term - but there is no such term in the expression

Answer 4

@ImaGuest This is a good reason why you should not accept direct answers

You have no idea of the competence of those answering - MANY answers here are just WRONG

Answer 5

lol

Answer 6

I know, thats why I said "tell me how you factor...". I usually don't accept direct answers anyways :)

Answer 7

are you sure there is a 3x^2y^2?

Answer 8

\[3x ^{2}y ^{2} - 2xy ^{2} - 8y ^{2}\]

Answer 9

because that is kinda complicated...

Answer 10

ohhhhh.

Answer 11

well. what do you do first?

Answer 12

there is y^2 in every term, so you can factor that out.

Answer 13

To be a factor - the values have to appear in every term

you can see y^2 is in every term - so start by making that a factor

Answer 14

Yeah, I'm positive.

Answer 15

you will get y^2(3x^2-2x-8)

Answer 16

now. how do you factor 3x^2-2x-8?

Answer 17

@Plasmataco
you should let @ImaGuest do the work 0 it's his question

Answer 18

@MrNood I would if I could, and if I could I wouldn't be on this site.

Answer 19

I wouldn't have made this thread if I knew what to do

Answer 20

(3x+4)(x-2)

Answer 21

so, your answer would be y^2(3x+4)(x-2)

Answer 22

Ok but I want to know how to factor this.

Answer 23

ok.

Answer 24

A direct answer is fine, but I need to show my work

Answer 25

I know. I'll explain.

Answer 26

And if you could walk me through it, I would appreciate it

Answer 27

when you factor a ax^2+bx+c,

Answer 28

waaaait. im explaining, I like to give the answer, then explain.

Answer 29

you have the answer above y^2 (3x+4)(x-2)

now try the next similar question

Answer 30

9 out of 10 posters will leave as soon as you give th eanswer

Answer 31

when you factor, you look at a. if it's 1, you automatically get into a format of (x+?)(x+?)

Answer 32

Well I didn't leave. What does that make me?

Answer 33

? wat, im talking to Mr.nood

Answer 34

understand so far?

Answer 35

you didn't explain yet about taking y^2 out as a factor

Answer 36

ok. when every term has a common factor, you can bring it out.

Answer 37

say you have 2y-4, 2 is a common factor, therefore, you can say 2(y-2)

Answer 38

got it?

Answer 39

now. back to the second part...

Answer 40

so what are you left with when you take y^2 from the original equation @ImaGuest ?

Answer 41

Nah, Im still here. Sorry, someone was at the door.

Answer 42

its fine, look above. do you get it so far?

Answer 43

Yeah, so far I do.

Answer 44

ok. whenever you factor with something like the second part, you always want to end up like (ax+b)(cx+d), a and c can be one.

Answer 45

I'll give you an example, that's the easiest way to teach you.

Answer 46

Alright

Answer 47

when you factor Y^2+3Y+2, you factor into (Y+2)(Y+1).

Answer 48

notice how 1*1=1 in the first term, 1+2=3, in the middle term and 1*2=2 in the third term

Answer 49

that's how you want to factor every thing, it's like a puzzle.

Answer 50

hello?

Answer 51

I'm here.

Answer 52

ok. look above.

Answer 53

see if you get it.

Answer 54

Yeah, I just finished reading them literally a few seconds before you said "hello?"

Answer 55

you get it?

Answer 56

Yeah I do. Thanks, you were of big help!

Answer 57

no problem.