Question

Factor 2a^2 - 16a + 32

Answer 1

Given:

`2a^2-16a+32`

Before we do anything, check for a GCF. I already notice that 2 is a GCF because everything is divisible by 2 at most. Let's pull out our GCF.

`2(a^2-8a+16)`

We can go even further. If we look and see what factors of 16 add up to 8, we can find out that it is -4 and -4 (-4 + -4 = -8) and (-4 * -4 = 16). Let's factor even more.

`2(a-4)(a-4)`

We can simplify this to put it in lowest terms possible.

`2(a-4)^2`

This would be your final answer.