Question

What is the greatest common factor of the polynomial's terms?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Write the prime factorization of each term:

9r⁵s = 3² × r⁵ × s

6r⁴s² = 2 × 3 × r⁴ × s²

12r²s = 2² × 3 × r² × s

The greatest common factor will have all the common factors raised to their lowest exponent.

So all three terms have 3, r, and s as factors.  The lowest exponent of 3 is 1.  The lowest exponent of r is 2.  The lowest exponent of s is 1.

GCF = 3 × r² × s

GCF = 3r²s

Factor out the GCF:

9r⁵s + 6r⁴s² − 12r²s

3r²s (3r³ + 2r²s − 4)