36y4(y + 12)3 + y5(y + 12)4
Factor The expression completely
2 Answers
36y4(y + 12)3 + y5(y + 12)4
Let (y + 12) = u
Now rewrite the expression:
36y4u3 + y5u4 GCF: y4u3
y4u3(36 + yu)
Now, for the sake of simplicity, revert u=(y+12) inside the parenthesis only:
y4u3(36 + y(y + 12))
Now, expand the expression inside the parenthesis:
y4u3(36 + y2 + 12y)
Now, rearrange the expression inside the parenthesis:
y4u3(y2 + 12y + 36)
Look at that expression inside the parenthesis... is it a perfect square? Indeed it is!! 36 = 62 and 12y = 2(6)y. Then, factor it:
y4u3(y + 6)2
Finally... do you remember u = (y+12)? Now it's the time to revert the other u:
y4(y + 12)3(y + 6)2 Too much fun, isn't it?
************************************
x2 - 10x + 24
This trinomial may be factored as the product of two binomials if we find two numbers such that:
- Their product is equal to 24, and
- Their sum is equal to -10
These two numbers indeed exist:
they are -6 and -4: (-6)(-4) = 24; and (-6)+(-4) = -10
Then our trinomial factors neatly: (x - 6)(x - 4)
Answer: (x - 6) (x - 4)
Because,
-6 * -4 = 24
-6x + -4x = -10x
x * x = x^2



Comments
#1: Follow the same pattern: 2 numbers such that their product is -30 and their sum is 1. They're -6 and 5. Then: (x-6)(x+5)
#2: (9x+4)(3x+8)
#3: Difference of 2 squares: (6t+5s)(6t-5s)
#4: Factor by CF: 6x(x2 - 16) Now difference of 2 squares: 6x(x-4)(x+4)
#5: Same as #4: x6y5(x2 - y2); then x6y5(x - y)(x + y)
- Roberto C. 1/10/2013