How to factor 4y^7-12y^5+16y^3

Question

Factoring the trinomial 4y⁷-12y⁵+16y³

Answer 1

Notice that y³ is a factor of all three terms.  So factor that out:

 

4y⁷ - 12y⁵ + 16y³ = y³ (4y⁴ - 12y² + 16)

 

4 is also a factor of all 3 terms, so factor that out too:

 

y³ (4y⁴ - 12y² + 16) = 4y³ (y⁴ - 3y² + 4)

 

The expression in parentheses can't be factored, so that's as far as you can get.

 

 

Answer 2

4y⁷ - 12y⁵ + 16y³               GCF is 4y³

4y³ (y⁴ - 3y² + 4)