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Mathematics 14 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

*Medal and fan* Find the GCF of the monomials.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

\[a^2b^3, ab^3\]

OpenStudy (faiqraees):

whats common in both of them

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Um, they both have the variable a and b in their terms?

OpenStudy (faiqraees):

and what's the maximum power of b in both?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

3

OpenStudy (faiqraees):

so our gcf will be ab^3

OpenStudy (anonymous):

But how? A only goes to 2 when it comes to powers?

OpenStudy (faiqraees):

the first one has two a's whereas second one has only one a SO only one a is common in both of them

OpenStudy (anonymous):

If I were to break apart the equation, would I write: ab*ab*ab? -or- a*b*a*b*a*b?

OpenStudy (faiqraees):

both are correct but just because ab is in reality a*b. If you talk about fulling breaking the equation then the second one is correct

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Okay, this is how I find the GCF(?): \[a^2b^3\] a*a*b*b*b \[ab^3\] ab*ab*ab

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Just basically match them up?

OpenStudy (faiqraees):

Yes

OpenStudy (faiqraees):

Find the similar terms.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

This is where I'm confused.

OpenStudy (faiqraees):

|dw:1458232259162:dw| SO gcf is ab^3

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