Question

Factor out the greatest common factor. Simplify the factors, if possible.6x4 - 42x3 + 12x2Select the correct choice below and fill in any answer boxes in your choice.O A. 6x4 - 42x3 + 12x2 =(Type your answer in factored form.)OB. There is no common factor other than 1.ih

Answer 1

You have to find the greatest common factor first.

To do so, do as follows:

`6x^4-42x^3+12x^2`

Factors of 6 are: 1, 2, 3, 6

Factors of 12 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

Factors of 42 are: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, 42

The greates common factor is the greatest common factor shared by all values, in this case is 6

Now to factor it out you have to divide each term of the equation by it.

`((6x^4)/(6))=x^4`
`((42x^3)/(6))=7x^3`
`((12x^2)/(6))=2x^2`

The expression with the GCF factorized is then:

`6(x^4-7x^3+2x^2)`