Colette N. answered • 02/09/13
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Winter Break Math + SAT Tutor
The first step in factoring is to find out what each term has in common. In this equation, there are two terms: (1) 5x and (2) -3x^2
What do both of these have in common? An x!
When you factor, bring the common term (the x) to the outside. Then leave what's left on the inside. Remember to divide each term by the common factor after you bring it outside!
Let's go step by step:
1) Common term: x
2) Bring x to outside and divide by x on the inside: x(5-3x)
