factor polynomials

Question

 How do I factor this completely

45xy-72zw

Answer 1

Hey Pat, 

 

To factor this completely, we must rewrite the expression with the lead term having the greatest integer coefficient and variable degree. Since each of the variables have the same degree, we can rewrite the expression as:

 

-72zw+45xy

 

To factor completely, we pull out the greatest common factor of 72 and 45, which is 9, and make the lead term positive by also pulling out a -1. [By pulling each term out, we are basically dividing the expression by those terms]. Doing this, we get the completed factorization:

 

-9(8zw-5xy)

 

I hope this helps!