Factor the following expression. 18v^6w^7-12vw^5x^8

Answer 1

To factor this, need to find the GCF for each term. For the 18 and 12, the GCF is 6. For the variables, you use the lowest exponent. For v, the lowest exponent is 1. So v is the GCF. For w the 5 is the lowest exponent so w⁵ is the GCF. Since there isn't and x term in both, x cannot be part of the GCF at all. Bringing all terms together, the GCF is 6vw⁵.

To figure out what remains once you factor out the GCF, divide each term by this and simplify

18v⁶w⁷/6vw⁵ - 12vw⁵x⁸/6vw⁵

3v⁵w² - 2x⁸

^{The GCF comes in front of the parenthesis so the final answer is}

6vw⁵(3v⁵w² - 2x⁸)