Question

Factor out the largest term possible (Show work)


-18a^2 m^5 + 12a^4 m^3

Answer 1

Factor out the gcf for numerals
-6(3a^2m^5-2a^4m^3)

Then factor out the largest common exponent for variable a
-6a^2(3m^5-2a^2m^3)

Then factor out the largest common exponent for variable m
-6a^2m^3(3m^2-2a^2)

Final answer: -6a^2 m^3(3m^2-2a^2)