Question

Factor the expression 8x^3y-8x^2y-30xy

Answer 1

Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

GCF = 2xy

Factor out the GCF. (Write the GCF first. Then, in parentheses, divide each term by the GCF.)

2xy(8x^3y/2xy + -8x^2y/2xy + -30xy/2xy)

Simplify each term in parenthesis

2xy(4x^2 - 4x - 15)

Split the second term in 4x^2 - 4x - 15 into two terms

2xy(4x^2 + 6x - 10x - 15)

Factor out common terms in the first two terms, then in the last two terms;

2xy(2x(2x + 3) -5(2x + 3))

Factor out the common term 2x + 3

= 2xy(2x + 3)(2x - 5)