Question

77. Find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the polynomial: 12x^4 + 8x^3 - 16x^2

4x^4

4x^2

x^2

4

Answer 1

4x^2

Explanation:

The greatest common factor of 12, 8, and 16 can be no larger than the smallest difference between these numbers, which is 4. 4 is a factor of each number, so is the GCF of them.

The exponent of the greatest common factor of x^4, x^3, and x^2 can be no larger than the smallest of these exponents, which is 2. So, the GCF of the variable portion of the terms is x^2.

The product of the coefficient GCF and the variable GCF is ...

... 4x^2