Question

Factor the trinomial completely. If the trinomial contains a greatest common factor​ (other than​ 1), factor out the GCF first.

x^2 - 7xy - 8y^2

Answer 1

`(x+y)(x-8y)`

Explanation:

Given expression:

`x^2-7xy-8y^2`

Rewrite the middle term as -8xy + xy:

`\implies x^2-8xy+xy-8y^2`

Factor the first two terms and the last two terms separately:

`\implies x(x-8y)+y(x-8y)`

Factor out the common term (x - 8y):

`\implies (x+y)(x-8y)`