How to factor?

Question

3x²-15x⁸

thanks 

Answer 1

Let's look at each term

 

The factors of 3x² are 3•x•x

The factors of 15x⁸ are 3•5•x•x•x•x•x•x•x•x

 

The common factors to both expressions/terms are 3•x•x

 

This leaves us with just 1 from the first term and

5•x•x•x•x•x•x = 5x⁶

 

So 3x²-15x⁸ = 3x²(1-5x⁶)