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Begin with the greatest common factor. The variable a is a common factor to all terms. Next, analyze the remaining trinomial for further factoring. |
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Begin with the greatest common factor. The GCF is 2xy. Next, notice that the remaining factor is a binomial. Look for one of the three binomial patterns for possible further factoring. |
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This binomial has no common factor. Since 8 is a perfect cube (2x2x2=8), consider factoring using the difference of two cubes technique. |
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There is no common factor. This is a trinomial. You are looking for two binomials. List the factors of the first term and the last term. Try to find a combination of factors that will yield the middle term, -1x. Note: if no combination can be found, the expression is said to be PRIME |
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This expression has no common factors to all terms. There are four terms, so you should try factoring by grouping. Grouping the first two terms will allow you to factor out a greatest common factor of 2a. Grouping the second two terms will allow you to factor out a greatest common factor of b. Finally, look at the two remaining groups. They should be a common factor. Factor out the common group to get a final answer of two binomial factors. |