Factor the coefficients: -12=(-1)(3)(2^2) -9=(-1)(3^2) 3=3
The greatest common factor (GCF) is 3
Next we find the GCF for the variable x. x^4 x^3 x^2 The GCF is x^2.
Next GCF for variable y. y y^2 y^3 the GCF is y
Therefore the GCF is 3x^2y To factor this out, we need to divide each term by the GCF, (3x^2y)(−12x4y/(3x^2y) − 9x3y2/(3x^2y) + 3x2y3/(3x^2y) ) =(3x^2y)(-4x^2-3xy+y^2) if we wish, we can factor further: (3x^2y)(y-4x)(x+y)
